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JOHN H. Davis
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JOHN H. DAVIS
THE AMERICAN TURF
BY
JOHN H. DAVIS
HISTORY OF THE THOROUGHBRED, TOGETHER WITH
PERSONAL REMINISCENCES BY THE AUTHOR,
WHO, IN TURN, HAS BEEN JOCKEY,
TRAINER AND OWNER
J-
PRINTED BY THE
JOHN POLHEMUS PRINTING COMPANY
NEW YORK
' 1907
COPYRIGHTED 1906
BY
JOHN H. DAVIS.
PREFACE
For a decade more than the three score years and ten
allotted by a gracious Providence to man I have been awaiting
the solemn call which comes to all human kind to weigh in,
and then to the great Steward make account of the use to
which I put the opportunities that came to me.
In the active competition of life, when rivalries were
keen, when ambitions created new fields and contests kept
alert both mind and body, there was little time, indeed, to do
more than merely store away in unclassified groups in
memory events and incidents each one deserving of a sep-
arate chapter. To write a history of the American turf had
long been a cherished project, but each day of a life of
practically unremitting and exacting labor interfered until
the westering sun of my eightieth year warns me that I must
be up and doing if I would achieve my cherished ambition
and leave behind me something which I trust will be worthy
tribute to the best and the noblest sport that it is given to
man to enjoy.
If in the chapters which are to come there should be
noted a tone of enthusiastic optimism, let the reader realize
that sixty-five years of my life were spent in the activities of
the turf as a jockey, a trainer and an owner ; that I have
seen, and in many of them personally participated, practically
all of the great contests which gave fame to our thorough-
breds ; that I have traveled on foot through valleys and over
mountains, when but rough paths pointed the way between
places now drawn close together by the bands of great trunk
line railroads, leading the horse that was on conquest bent ;
that I spent weary weeks on journeys that now would be but
the occupation of one brief day of luxurious travel ; that I
have seen the upward and the onward progress which has
marked the rise of the thoroughbred in America from a
little meet in some isolated though sport-loving place to the
magnificent seasons of Belmont Park.
No optimism of my earliest and most enthusiastic days
could have possibly created for me a grander vista than that
which in reality has come. No dream that I might have had
more than a half century ago could have conjured up the
multitude that on last Decoration Day I saw pass through the
gates of the vastest and the best appointed race course in the
world. No fancy of the years gone by could have pictured
the popularity of the sport which has so entwined itself
about the American thoroughbred. A long cry truly from
famed old Governor Gary's Lane, where our own Washing-
ton of ever blessed memory presided and where he raced his
own horse Magnolia, to the great courses which now cater
to the scores of thousands who pay their devoirs to our noble
horse.
Nor do I believe that we yet have reached our highest
in the sport. It is better conserved to-day, it has a more
popular patronage, it is better regulated than ever before.
It is difficult to maintain one's poise and listen to the croak-
ings of those who allege they fear disaster and already can
discern ruin. Racing has had its dark days, as what sport
or what man or what nation has not, and it may continue so
to have at uncertain periods. But I have been in it a life-
time longer than it has been the good fortune of many to
enjoy, and I have seen its good name assailed, and its patrons
criticised, and attempts made to thwart its progress; but
ever and always it has come out of its difficulties better and
stronger than it was.
And it did so because of the love of contest which is
characteristic of the American people. The American citizen
is essentially a man who glories in struggles for supremacy;
whether it be man or horse that battles, his sympathies are
at once enlisted and aroused. The red blood that courses in
his veins — the blood that has built nations and that has made
of empires republics — the blood that to-day dominates the
world — is quickened by the sight of contest. It glories in the
battles of the thoroughbred, whose blood is uncontaminated
and whose life is conquest. Tell me not that the day will
ever come when the American citizen will look with either
disfavor or indifference on a field of thoroughbreds. Tell
me not that there is anywhere a scene so inspiriting as two
horses locked in struggle, neither flinching and neither yield-
ing, their veins in tension standing out like whipcords on
their silken sides, their eyes aflame with interest, their nostrils
distended with excitement, giving up their best effort out of
exclusively a natural desire to conquer. No prizes for them
if they win ; no fortunes go with the victory ; winner or loser
they go back to the stalls, conqueror and vanquished treated
alike — the only sport in the world where two combatants
struggle with all their might without individual glory save
the appreciation in which the public holds them.
But I am digressing and discussing an impossible condi-
tion instead of confining myself to a word as to the progress
of the sport — a sport which is at once a great and an important
industry and a most popular recreation. In our early days
it was but natural that it should hold a minor place, for the
molding of a nation was work that compelled man's best
effort and man's whole time. But no sooner had the country
put on its swaddling clothes than the thoroughbred was im-
ported, and every year since then it has grown and has
gathered popularity until it stands at the very top of all our
recreations.
Later in this book it will be my privilege to discuss this
growth and the reasons therefor and also to point out the
great practical value of the thoroughbred blood in improving
the breed of horses. The Jockey Club — the governing body
of the turf in the East — has inaugurated a Bureau of Breed-
ing, which will do much to illustrate this to the public of the
Empire State, and I have reason to believe that our National
Government, through the Department of Agriculture, may
move along a similar line.
Before concluding this introduction I desire to say that
for the inspiration for this book I am indebted to that princely
sportsman, the late Leonard W. Jerome. Sitting on the
veranda of the old club house at Jerome Park one autumn
evening after the races, Mr. Jerome and his friend, the elder
August Belmont, than whom no better friend the turf ever
had, were speaking of the deplorable fact that the only
records of the turf up to that time were in the fugitive form
of newspaper articles. I chanced along and Mr. Jerome
urged that I take up the work. To him, therefore, I am
indebted for the inspiration of this book, and to him and to
my best and truest friend, George C. Bennett, of Memphis,
this work is dedicated by
THE AUTHOR.
INDEX.
PAGE
Preface 5
Story of Godolphin --•- n
Our Early Racing i6
Some Great Races 26
Origin of Steeplechasing. - 3S
The Strain of Blood 4^
How I Became a Turfman 47
Won Every Stake - — 54
Harry Gilmour's Victory 63
My Recollections - -- 69
Home of the Racer - 74
Why They Won 80
How to Ride 85
How to Breed... 92
How to Buy a Horse — 97
The Noted Jockeys and Trainers --- 102
The Greatest Plungers 108
Waning of the Gray - nS
Tales of the Turf 121
Men I Have Met -.126
Some Noted Ringers -- 152
Training for a Race 158
How to Treat a Horse _ 163
The Track Records. ._ - ^75
HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN TURF.
CHAPTER L
The Story of Godolphin, the Arabian.
While America is not the birthplace of racing and is not
the country that first saw the merits of the thoroughbred
horse, she now has the proud distinction of having been the
country that encouraged the sport and brought it up to its
present high standing.
From the insignificant beginning, when the Dutch
traders and burghers first raced their Flemish ponies about
New Amsterdam, racing has grown to almost colossal pro-
portions. The whole country is honeycombed with race
tracks of the very grandest character, and there is not a
state in the Union but has some kind of a course. If running
is not promoted, the trotting interests are appreciated.
Probably the first racing ever held was on the broad
deserts of Arabia, where the turbaned disciple of Mahomet
scampered about on his steed and challenged his neighbors
to a contest of speed. If there were any regular races, how-
ever, there is no record of them, but the fame of the Arabian
steed was known as early as the beginning of the Christian
era.
It remained for France and England to introduce racing
and the features that have grown about it. Of course, there
were races during the time the Romans were ruled by the
Ccesars and even previous to that, but there was nothing of
an organized nature and horses were not trained especially
for the purpose. France seems to have had the first blooded
horse of which there is any record. The Byerly Turk was
taken there from Turkey in 1620, but it was long years after
that before there was what could be termed racing.
There were some men in England who made pretensions
to scientific breeding, yet they knew but little compared
with what is known now. Several Arabian horses were im-
ported and they begat a sterling race when bred to the
12
gentle mares of the British isles. Among the earliest of
these importations was a celebrated stallion known as Bar-
ley's Arabian, whose blood is yet to be found in the horses of
this country and England and they are winning races day
after day.
But the grandest of these Arabians, in my opinion, was
Godolphin Arabian, and, in this connection, a pretty little
story regarding the discovery of this wonderful animal
occurs to me. I heard it when a boy. The pasha of Arabia
desired to bestow a compliment on the king of France and
he sent him a number of beautiful Arabian kings and queens
of the desert. Among them was one of especial symmetry,
but the French had lately been involved in a war and their
thoughts were far from racing and such matters. Their
entire attention was fixed on how to recover from the ravages
of the war. In consequence, the Arabian horses were neg-
lected. Finally the king ordered his grooms to sell the
horses for anything they would bring.
The animals fell into the hands of traders and common
people, who gave them no care, and gradually they declined
until the horse in question drifted into the hands of a man
who had a cart and hauled goods about the city of Paris.
With every one of these horses sent to the king the pasha
sent the groom that had had him in charge since he was
foaled, and there was one poor fellow who had cared for this
steed. He followed the carter about day after day, saw his
beloved horse become blind, shaggy and ill looking, and his
heart was touched to the very core.
But one day there came a change. A gentle Quaker
was passing through the streets with his daughter and they
saw the carter beating the Arabian horse mercilessly. The
girl's sympathetic heart was touched, and she persuaded her
father to purchase the poor animal and get it out of the hands
of the cruel driver. The Quaker paid over the money and
stood wondering what he was going to do with the horse.
At this juncture the Arabian groom approached and in
a respectful manner told the story of the horse. He told of
his love for the exile from the deserts of the spice-laden
Araby the Happy and pleaded to be engaged to care for
him. The daughter again interfered, and, woman like, she
had her way. Soon the groom and the horse were comfort-
13
ably installed in the stable ol the Quaker, With kind treat-
ment and plenty to eat the horse began to round out and
once more the graceful lines of symmetry were perceptible.
Time passed and the cast-off Arabian horse became the
most beautiful creature in that part of the city.
The Quaker's daughter went from time to time to see
the horse and listen to the praises of the groom. Finally
she became so impressed with the animal that she used him
as her saddle horse. But all this time the spark of fire in
the blood of the horse was being slowly revived, for all the
cruel treatment he had received had not quite extinguished
it. One day he was feeling particularly frisky and he threw
his fair rider and badly injured her. This so enraged the
Quaker that he had the groom thrown into prison.
The mother of Lord Godolphin, a celebrated English
noble, was visiting in Paris, and, being a very charitable
woman, she went with a number of other ladies to visit the
prison. There she saw the poor Arab and listened pityingly
to his story. Afterward she made an investigation and found
that he had told her the exact truth. She saw the man again
and he persuaded her to buy the horse from the Quaker.
Then she sent both the horse and the groom to her son in
England.
The groom knew so much about horses that he was
placed in charge of the stables of his new master, and, while
acting in this capacity, occurred the incident that caused
his temporary downfall. On the stock farm was Roxanna,
by the Ball Galloway, a great mare of the day, and the lord
desired to breed her to Hobgoblin, a grand stallion he owned;
but the mare would have nothing to do with the English
stallion and seemed to care for no horse save the despised
blind Arab. The groom thought there was no horse like
the one from his own deserts and he permitted the mare to
go into the embrace of the Arabian.
When Lord Godolphin learned of what had been done
he was so enraged that he banished both the horse and the
groom to a barren estate in Scotland. There the Arab built
a small stone hut to shelter himself and the horse. For two
years they lived there, and the Arab worked and procured
food for both of them.
In course of time the mare delivered a foal. It was a
14
delicate little creature, but every day he grew more and
more beautiful. There were no such lithe and sinewy limbs
on any of the yearlings of the stable. There was no such
gracefulness in every movement, and the attention of every-
body was directed toward the offspring of the despised
Arabian sire. At length he was trained and put into a race.
His owner thought he was a beautiful creature, but he had
no great hopes for him. But when he ran away from every
thing in the race and won from the best stock of old England
he became deeply interested. Race after race was won, and
there soon came a time when this colt was considered the
mightiest race horse that ever looked through a bridle. His
name was Lath and his fame was widespread. Inquiries as
to his breeding began to be made.
Then, for the first time, it occurred to Lord Godolphin
that he had on his barren estate in Scotland probably the
greatest sire ever known. He sent a special ambulance by
a long and tortuous route into the Highlands, where the faith-
ful groom and his charge were quartered, and they returned to
the castle of the Godolphins in almost regal splendor. After
that Godolphin the Arabian grew and increased in fame
until a horse that did not have a strain of his blood in him
was not considered a race horse at all. He so far over-
shadowed the other Arabians of his time that they became
considered but of mediocre quality.
The blood of this mighty horse courses through the
veins of all the best stock of America to-day and is the purest
of the line that leads to the purple. One might go over the
pedigrees of all the horses that are gaining distinction on the
turf to-day and find that they finally lead back to the blind
steed of the desert. He combined speed, endurance and
gentleness in his makeup, all the essential points in a first-
class thoroughbred.
The sportsmen of America were quick to see that this
was a great horse, and it was not long until several of his
sons and daughters found their way across the ocean and
were quartered in the stables of the planters of the New
World. Here they thrived and produced a race that inherited
all the best traits of the illustrious sire.
The Byerly Turk was taken from France to England
in about 1688 and was the founder of the famous Herod line.
15
The horse became the property of Sir George Byerly and
was his charger during the battle of the Boyne. When the
war was over Sir George took him back to England and
placed him at the head of his breeding establishment. This
is the line carefully traced : The Byerly Turk sired Jig, the
latter Tartar, and then followed Partner, who sired Herod.
Selim was the sire of the Matchem line and was also
owned in England. These three lines are the most famous
the world has ever known, and all the great horses in Europe
and America contain these crosses. Diomed, the winner of
the first English Derby in 1780, had all three of the strains.
Sir Archie (the American Godolphin), whom I regard as
one of the greatest horses ever bred in America, was a son
of Diomed. This horse sired Florizel; Florizel is the sire of
the dam of Boston, and Boston sired Lexington, which shows
in a few words the excellence of his blood.
However, this is a slight deviation. Old England, the
mother of racing, had its grand race courses, its fine breed-
ing establishments and its owners whose wealth justified
them in indulging in the sport. They were true sportsmen,
and there is nothing they would not have done to have im-
proved upon the Arabian blood, had they but known how
to have gone about it. But they soon had rivals in America.
The men of the New World began to study the science
of breeding. They mated the Arabian stock to mares judi-
ciously and made up for the defects of the latter in the
virtues of the former. The result was that the class of the
stock gradually increased and became better and better.
Year after year saw an improvement in the American horses.
The best men in the country became identified with breeding
and they gave it the most careful attention.
But the Americans were not content with taking the
best of the English sires. They invaded France and Austria,
and finally imported a few Arabs themselves. In every
instance they succeeded by their judicious management.
Racing in the new world grew and flourished. Tracks were
built at first like those in the old country, but then the
Americans devised a plan by which the race at all its stages
might be witnessed by the people and by which the horses
would never be out of the sight of the man who had come
to see the race. They built the first circular tracks and con-
tinued to improve upon them.
CHAPTER IL
Our Early Racing;.
From the very arrival of the first thorougbred in this
country racing became popular. It was the chief recreation
of the leisure class, and, though that class was exceedingly
small in number, it was thoroughly enthusiastic, and, perhaps
naturally, because of its smallness, contests took on the char-
acter of quasi-sectional rivalries. It was the North against
the South, or Virginia against Maryland, or New York against
South Carolina, and so on, for, as I have said, men who had
the wealth and the leisure to indulge in this most fascinat-
ing of sports were few and far between in those days when
our country was in that transition stage from a colony to a
nation.
Up until within approximately a dozen years of the
War of Independence there was no regularly constituted
race track worthy even of those days. In 1763, for example,
we find the celebrated horse Selim meeting and beating Dr.
Hamilton's imported horse Dove and others at four miles,
two miles out on the main road between Annapolis and Bal-
timore and return. Maryland always was a splendid racing
colony, and letters in private collections tell of the great
crowds that had gathered for the contest, traveling by horse-
back in some instances a week's journey to be present at the
race.
In 1764 Selim again won a purse at Philadelphia, and
about a year later beat True Britton over a regularly organ-
ized course at four miles and repeat in a match. In the
October of 1767 he won a purse of 100 guineas at the same
place, distancing three others. His superiority was so un-
challenged that it was not an uncommon thing to find him
barred. It was not until 1768 that he met his first defeat,
his conqueror being the imported horse Figure.
In this connection it is pertinent to call attention to the
fact that the worthy, time-honored course at Charleston, S. C,
was the oldest well-organized course in the United States.
It was not inaugurated until February 15, 1792, or nearly a
quarter of a century after some had their existence in Penn-
17
sylvania. Let no reader misunderstand me ; I pay reverent
homag-e to the gentlemen sportsmen of the Palmetto State,
but inexorable history gives the laurel for the establish-
ment of organized courses in this country to the State of the
gentle Quaker. More's the pity that in the years which
followed the great commonwealth of William Penn per-
mitted itself to be outstripped in the race for eminence in
this noblest of all our sports.
It may be of interest to give a list of all the horses,
especially the Arabians, imported into the United States
before the Revolution. Accidentally omitted is Lindsey's
Arabian, the only and first Arabian, ever imported into
America up to or prior to the War of Independence. He
was a gray, and commonly called " Lindsey's Arabian." He
was landed in Connecticut in 1766, and was then four years
old. His stock proved to be valuable, and many of his get
were employed as cavalry horses in the army of the United
States.
In the stud he was successful. He was the sire of Gen-
eral George Washington's Magnolia, Mr. Edelin's Tullp,Dr.
Marshall's Hyder Ally, as well as a black horse belonging
to Notly Young, and a gray which later found his way to Win-
chester, Virginia. In connection herewith, I recount a list
of Arabians and Barbs which have been brought into the
United States since the Revolution.
A horse and mare sent as a present by the^Bey of Tunis
through his Ambassador, Meli Melle, to Thomas Jefferson,
then President of the United States ; pedigree unknown.
Arab Barb, a black, imported by Colonel Lear. He was
large and strong, well proportioned, but not handsome. He
was said to be sire of the dam of Fairfax.
Bagdad, purchased by George Barkly, Esq., of New
York, from Hassana De Gris, Minister to England from
Tripoli, who imported him into England as a horse of
pure Arabian blood. He was afterwards purchased by a
company in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1823.
Ballasteros, an Arabain, dark brown, who had been the
property of Ferdinand, King of Spain. When the French
army got possession of Madrid the stud belonging to the
King of Spain was taken by the Spanish nobles, carried to
Cadiz, and there sold. There Ballasteros became the property
of R. S. Hackley, our consul at that place, who afterwards
disposed of him to Captain Singleton, of Philadelphia, who
sold him to Thomas Guy, of Richmond (Broad Rock Co.),
Va., in 1816.
Busora, an Arabian, imported in 1820 by the Messrs.
Ogden, of New York,
The Jones, Arabian, foaled in 1820, a dapple gray, black
legs, mane and tail, 15 hands high. He was purchased by
Major Smith, an American consul at Tunis, who sold him to
Commodore Jones, and by him was imported into this
country in 1824. This horse ran at Gibraltar and performed
well.
Selim, an Arabian gray, presented by the Murad Bey
to General Sir R. Abercrombie. After the General's death
he became the property of Commodore Barron, who after-
wards sold him to go to Kentucky.
Winter's Arabian was captured as a yearling during
the war of 1814 by the privateer Grampass, of Baltimore,
Maryland. He was on board the brig Doris, one of His
Majesty's transports, on her passage from Senegal to Ports-
mouth, England, and was intended as a present to the then
Prince Regent, afterwards George the Fourth. The horse
was sold, and purchased by E. J. Winter, member of Con-
gress from New York. He was 14 hands i inch high.
This horse crossed well with most of the Kentucky mares in
his time.
John M. Clay's Rally, by imported Trustee. The dam
of that good horse, Gerome Edger, was out of a Winter's
Arab mare. She was also dam of Mat Davis and other good
horses. Quite a number of his get were trained and per-
formed well.
These are the principal Arabs and Barbs that came to
this country prior to the date of the Independence and
long subsequent to the same period. An important con-
signment came in the more recent years through the enter-
prise of that public-spirited gentleman, Mr. A. K. Richards,
of Georgetown, Scott Co., Kentucky. Though well selected,
they most signally failed to cross well with our best Ameri-
can brood mares. The best of their get was Transylvania,
out of the famous mare Paytonia, by Glencoe, who became
famous when she beat the great Northern ideal. Fashion,
19
four-mile heats, in a match for $20,000 a side, over the Union
Course, Long- Island, New York. While on this subject it
may prove interesting to modern readers of turf matters of
the past that I should recur to the origin of the conflicts of
the turf between the North and South, which were more
protracted than the Trojan War, though they were con-
ducted in a manner highly honorable to all parties emulous
not only to excel on the turf, but in the promotion of that
good feeling best calculated to cement more strongly the
bonds of our Union, as follows :
During the autumn campaign of 1823 Sir Charles, then
six years old, having beaten all competitors in several races,
a challenge was injudiciously made in the public press to run
him against Eclipse, four-mile heats, the following May, on
the Union Course, Long Island, or any Southern course^
four-mile heats, for $5,000 or $10,000 a side, as might be pre-
ferred by Eclipse.
Eclipse was eight years old and had run but one race that
season. The challenge was accepted and the larger sum
named as most consonant with the fame of the two champions.
Sir Charles proving amiss, half forfeit was paid, though in his
unpromising situation a match on the spot was made to run
them forthwith a dash of four miles for $15,000 a side. At
the end of two miles Sir Charles broke down and Eclipse
won almost without a contest.
Confidence now to the fullest extent being reposed in
him, a match was made by John Stevens, of New York, with
Col. Wm. R. Johnson, of Virginia, to run Eclipse four-mile
heats the following May on the same Union Course against
any competitor to be produced at the starting post for
$20,000 a side, the rules of the Union Course to govern,
which, from the relative weights, were known to be more
unfavorable to young horses over the Northern tracks than
the regular tracks of the South.
All others had then trained off in Virginia, partly from
the severe mode of running three-year-olds, but in some
measure as characteristic of her fashionable stock, at which
time all horses dated their age from the first of May.
Thus, a horse foaled any time in the year 18 19 would be
considered four years old on the first day of May, 1823.
Eclipse was foaled at Dosoris, Queens County, Long
Island, New York, on the 25th of May, 18 14, was reared by
General Nathaniel Coles, the breeder, in whose possession
he remained until the 15th day of March, 1819, when he
changed hands and became the property of Mr. Van Ranst.
He was sired by Durock; his dam was Miller's Damsal,
by imported Messenger, grandam the English Pot-8-os
Mare, imported when three years old in 1795 by William
Constable, Esq., of New York. Pot-8-os was sired by English
Eclipse, his great-grandam by Jim Crack, he by Crip-
ple, and Cripple by Godolphin Arabian. This horse was as
much of a success when turned to the stud as a brood horse
as he was famous as a performer, when on the turf, meeting
and defeating all the best horses at all distances of his day.
(Borrowed of Volume I, American Turf Register and
Sporting Magazine.)
A portrait accompanying this number of the celebrated
racer and idol of the North, by name American Eclipse, was
engraved by Du Rand and Wright, taken from the original
painting, the property of Henry Hall, Esq., of New York,
and was acknowledged by all good judges to be an excellent
likeness. This horse was then 15 years old, a chestnut with
a star and near hind foot white, was 15 hands i inch high, and
possessed a large share of bone and muscle.
At the death of Sir Charles, Eclipse was purchased by
some Southern gentlemen, to take his place, who had up to
this time stood at the head of the list of successful stal-
lions in the South, and in this capacity Eclipse continued
to add to his fame.
At first in this country there were just the straight
courses of England, and many a merry race was had in
Governor Gary's Lane. It is said that General Washington
once presided as judge at a race there, and that his decision
was satisfactory to everybody. Thomas Jefferson, the father
of Democracy, owned a race horse in those days. While
there is no recorded instance of the horse having won any
great races, he must have been victorious in some of them,
for he sold for a big price. There were many great races of
the olden times, and thousands of dollars were wagered and
won and lost on the results, for the pioneers were sports-
men of the most noble and liberal type. If they fancied
the chances of one horse, they were willing to stake every-
thing they possessed on him.
This is instanced in the story of one of the earliest of
these contests. It occurred away back at a time when no
record was kept of the matter save the barest details. In
Cobb County, N. C, there lived a very rich family, and they
had the best horse there was in the surrounding country.
He was truly a handsome animal and had all sorts of speed,
but he had not been trained. It was the proud boast that
this animal could defeat any horse in the State, although the
family would never for an instant have considered themselves
turfmen. They boasted of his prowess on every occasion,
and often they went to the grocery store kept by a canny Scot
and spoke of what this horse could do in the way of running.
Now, it happened that this Scot had just moved into the
country and was not making much of an effort to get any
trade. He did not seem to care whether business came to
him or not. He was ready to take a drink, close up his
business and have a good time, and everybody soon got to
like him. He had a horse. His name was Trickem and he
was by Janus, the own son of Godolphin the Arabian. But
he did not let anybody know of the pedigree of his horse.
He simply tried to " make himself a good fellow."
One day a scion of the rich family called at the store,
somewhat under the influence of liquor, and resumed his
boastings.
" I think my horse could beat him if it came to a race,"
said the storekeeper.
" Have you any money to bet on it?" asked the South-
erner.
" I have some money," replied the Scotchman, " but
there is hardly enough, and I will put up my store and bet
it.
"Agreed," said the lad, and he went home and told his
father, mother, sisters and brothers, who said he had acted
properly under the circumstances. It was as much the
Southern pride as anything, but, at the same time, they be-
lieved they had the race as good as won.
On the day following the Scotchman showed he was in
earnest by having his stock appraised and put up in
boxes ready for moving in case he lost. Then he sent for
the father of the family and asked him if the race was to be a
bona fide thing. The latter promptly informed him with
great dignity that he was responsible for anything his son
had said. So the money was placed in the hands of the stake-
holder and the time for the race arrived. The villagers al-
most to a man were wagering their money on the horse of
the rich family, as they had seen him work and they
thought he was the superior of any horse that ever trod a
track.
A strange coincidence was that there immediately came
an influx of strangers into the town, and they were all
Scotchmen, and were introduced as relatives of the owner
of Trickem. The time for the race came, and the horses
went to the post. They got off to a good start, and Trickem
at once took the lead and kept it all the way, never faltering
for an instant, winning by more than a hundred yards.
Now, when it is considered that the neighbors wagered ne-
groes, farms, cotton and all they possessed on the result, some
idea of the state of affairs that prevailed at this time may be
gained.
The Scotchman had his goods already packed, and he
lost no time in getting out of the country. He was never
heard of afterward. Trickem may not have been a ringer
and brought there for the sole purpose of winning this money,
but the circumstances were against him. However, he was
never heard of again, as far as there is any record. The ad-
vent of the Scotchman made that town poor for years and
years.
An important race of these days was that between Char-
lotte Temple, Sussex, Rat Catcher and Red Rover. It was
a post sweepstakes and took place over the Virginia course.
Charlotte Temple was owned by Colonel William R. John-
son and she won the race in two straight heats. When it is
remembered that thousands of dollars were bet on this race
its importance is understood. Charlotte Temple was a full
sister to the famous Gohanna.
There was a great race between Selim, Old England,
Granby and Northumberland at Philadelphia in 1767.
At the start Selim, the mighty, sped to the front and held
the lead all the way around. The others could never come
within striking distance of him. Old England was the near-
23
est contender, and he was a good horse, too, full of fire, speed
and endurance. In the second heat Old England clung close
to the flanks of the bay Selim and held there until the last
quarter was reached. Then he flew the course and Selim
came in and won as he pleased. A great deal of money
changed hands on this race.
But there was scarcely a time in the history of the early
days that there was not a contest of some kind between the
North and South, and the natives of both sections backed
their favorites with all they had. One of the prime factors
in promoting these matches was Colonel William R. John-
son. He made probably more matches than any man alive
and wagered more money on the results than the heaviest
plungers of to-day are wont to do. In the whole history of
the American turf there is probably no man who deserves
more credit for what he has done in the way of promoting
racing than Colonel William R. Johnson. But I have no
desire at this time to eulogize this gentleman. In another
part of this work I will speak of him at length and will give
my impressions of him.
It was he who brought about the great race between
Boston and Fashion, in which the latter won, and there is no
notable match of this period in which he did not have a
hand. He owned some of the grandest horses that ever
set foot on a track, and as long as there is racing in the world
the name of William R. Johnson will be remembered and
respected.
In those days the distances were always long, and a horse
had to have some bottom and staying qualities to win. Ariel
was one of the greatest mares of her time. One of her noted
races was run against the fleet-footed Flirtilla in October,
1830. It was over the Union course on Long Island for a
purse of $20,000, three-mile heats. Both had great speed,
and they had admirers from one ocean to the other. During
the first mile of the first heat Flirtilla was kept far behind,
according to instructions, although she fought for her head,
but on the second mile she was turned loose and permitted
to do what she could. She shot ahead, maintaining the lead
until the last quarter was reached. Then Ariel stepped in
and won.
The trainer of Flirtilla saw that the chance of the mare lay
24
in her getting away well, and he told the jockey to take her
to the iront at once. The boy did so, and she maintained
the lead all the way around, wearing out her agile adversary.
The third heat was a repetition of the preceding one. Flir-
tilla had tired Ariel, and she stepped out and won all the
way without the slightest difficulty. In the last heat Flir-
tilla was about eighty yards to the good, and she did the work
in 5:54.
Another remarkable race was that of Leviathan against
Brimmer. The former carried 180 pounds and the latter 90
pounds. It was for a distance of five miles, and was run at
Tappahannock, Virginia, in 1701. The lightly-weighted
Brimmer, who was, by the way, fleet of foot and full of all
kinds of speed and endurance, took the lead at the fall of the
flag and held it all the way around to the last quarter. Then
the bulky rider of Leviathan called on the son of The Flag
of Truce and he responded nobly. He quickly closed the
gap there was between them and forged to the front under
the wire by a head. The Brimmer beaten on this occasion
was not Colonel Goode's Brimmer, but another of the same
name. Still he was a fast horse and deserves credit for the
game race he ran, even though he had far the better of the
impost.
On October 30, 1830, there was a celebrated race run at
the Rocky Mount track in Virginia between Red Gauntlet,
a famed horse, and Aratus. It was a famous race and was
for $30,000 a side, two-mile heats. The owners of the two
horses were mortal enemies, and each hoped the other would
lose all his earthly possessions. They put up their money as
long as they had anything to put up. Red Gauntlet took
the lead at the start and held it all the way around to the last
quarter, when Aratus challenged him. Then began the tug
of war, and each boy whipped his horse until the blood
floAved in a crimson stream down his sides. The sharp spurs
worn in those days were dug deeply into the flesh, and they
spared nothing to win. But, in spite of all the game Aratus
could do, Red Gauntlet forged to the front when they were
head and head and won by a short neck.
His owner was not discouraged and was just as game as
when he had first had the blanket taken off his horse. He
wagered at this juncture what he could borrow from his
25
friends. As before, Red Gauntlet got the better of the start,
and they sped over the course with Aratus close behind.
The boy had his instructions to let Red Gauntlet make the
running to the last half and then to set him such a merry
clip that he could not hold on. On and on they went, and
when they arrived at the last half the rider of the sturdy
Aratus plied whip and spur, but work hard as he could he
was unable to get a bit more speed out of the animal. Ara-
tus had done his best and was near the jumping off spot. On
the other hand, Red Gauntlet was getting his second wind,
as the saying is. His rider realized that the boy on Ara-
tus was going to make a mighty effort to win about the
time he did so, and he also applied whip and spur. Red
Gauntlet shot ahead and won by seventy or eighty yards.
This race ruined several of the best families of that time in
the South, and it will never be forgotten by their descend-
ants.
CHAPTER m.
Some Great Races*
There was probably no race ever run in the history of
the country that attracted as much attention as did that
between Wagner and Grey Eagle in 1839. As in all the
other great races, it was between the North and the South,
and these two sections were arrayed against each other in
the betting.
Grey Eagle was a four-year-old gray horse by Wood-
pecker out of Ophelia, by Wild Medley, and was owned by
A. L. Shotwell, of Kentucky. Wagner was a five-year-old
chestnut horse by Sir Charles out of Maria West, by Marion,
and was owned by John Campbell, of Maryland.
The race took place at Louisville and was run over the
old Oakland course. Stephen Welch, a white boy, had the
mount on Grey Eagle, while Cato, a little black negro be-
strode the Maryland horse. Wagner won the first heat,
shaking off Grey Eagle on the last turn. Up to that time it
was thought by the Kentuckians that the gray horse had a
chance.
The next and deciding heat was won by Wagner, after
one of the grandest battles ever fought. All the way around
Grey Eagle led, with Wagner hanging on closely. First
one surged ahead and then the other. The result was al-
ways in doubt, but Wagner finally won by a neck. The
time was 7:48 and 7:44.
Thad Stevens won a four-mile-race in California from
True Blue and several others. It attracted some attention
in the West at the time, from the fact that it was thought to
have been an unfair one. The other horses were thought to
have been pulled.
Boston and Fashion ran a four-mile race over the Union
Course at Long Island in 1842, in which Fashion won. The
race was hotly contested, but Fashion was first in both heats.
Rudolph and Angora raced over the old Oakland track
at Louisville in a match, and the former was easily the victor.
Considerable money was wagered on the result, and the
27
match attracted some attention, as it was considered a con-
test between Kentucky and Tennessee. Rudolph repre-
sented Kentucky and Angora stood for the honor of Ten-
nessee.
Probably the last great race of all the long distance con-
tests was that between Ten Broeck and Mollie McCarthy. It
took place at Churchill Downs on July 4, 1878, and resulted
in a victory for the former. Ten Broeck was owned by
Frank B. Harper and was by imp. Phaeton out of Fanny
Holton, by Lexington. He was bred in Kentucky and car-
ried the colors of the grand old commonwealth, as Kentuck-
ians are wont to designate their state. Mollie McCarthy
was owned in California, but she was bred in Tennessee. A
match was arranged between them for $20,000 a side, and a
special train brought Mollie McCarthy and a thousand
Californians to " the dark and bloody ground." The Ken-
tuckians were loyal to the great son of Phaeton and
wagered everything they had on the result. But the
people from the Golden Gate were said to have brought
fortunes with them for the purpose of betting, and they
quickly covered every wager.
Ten Broeck took the lead from the start, but Walker,
his rider, was a diplomat and he did not race his horse out
at the very outset and exhaust his speed. He rated him along
for the first three miles nicely, always leaving Mollie close
behind. When the finish came Ten Broeck was first under
the wire, but the game California mare was not far away.
Then when the concluding heat came it was apparent that
the Californian was fast tiring, and Harper gave instructions
to set a clip that would end the matter, for he was positive
that his horse had the bottom that the mare lacked.
Around the course flew the mighty Ten Broeck. Three
times the circle was made and Mollie was staggering.
" One thousand even that Mollie does not pass under
the wire again," yelled Yankee Bligh, the greatest detective
the South ever knew.
" Done," said a patriotic Californian, and the money
was put up in the hands of Major William Owens, who, by
the way, was afterward a noted detective of Louisville and
the South.
Mollie was staggering. Her race was nearly run. At
28
the three-quarters she came to a dead standstill and Ten
Broeck romped in a winner. The mare was led over to the
stable, and for several hours a veterinary worked with her
before he was able to say her life was saved.
The great race run by Lexington at Lexington, Ken.
tucky, in 1853, should not be omitted while we are on the
subject. In the Phoenix Hotel stakes he met Vandal,
Garret Davis, Wild Irishman, Madonna, Fannie Fern and
others of similar class. He won the first heat easily. Be-
fore the next heat he ran off and ran one and three-quarter
miles, but, in spite of this mishap, he stepped in and won the
succeeding heat. The importance of this race will be
understood when it is known that every one of the other
horses engaged in the contest afterward was distinguished as
a race horse.
During the same week Lexington met Midway and de-
feated her in two straight heats. Afterw^ard he was pur-
chased by Captain William Viley, Richard Ten Broeck and
Junius Ward. They sent him to New Orleans, where he
won the State Stakes from Le Compte, Highlander and
Rube. He was afterward beaten by Le Compte, because
he was pulled up at the end of three miles by the jockey
through a mistake. Le Compte went on and opened a big
gap. Lexington was unable to make it up later. This heat
was run in 7:26, the best that had ever been run up to this
time.
In the following year T. W. Doswell, through John Minor
Botts, bet $20,000 with Richard Ten Broeck that his horse
Lexington could not beat 7:26, the time in which he had been
beaten by Le Compte. Mr. Ten Broeck won his wager, and
his horse covered the distance in 7:19^. Four horses
were started with him to regulate the pace, one in each
mile. Men with flags were stationed at each quarter pole
around the track to show the jockey just how fast he was
going and how to limit the pace.
A reason why the merits of this horse have been dis-
cussed at such length is that he was equally successful in the
stud. All the great Leamingtons, with the exception of
Longfellow and Rhadamanthus, were out of Lexington
mares. Aristides, Enquirer, Hyder Ali, Nettie Norton and a
host of others assisted in perpetuating the fame of the great
29
Lexing-ton. All this goes to show that the Lexingrton mares
bred to Leamington are responsible to a marked extent for
the latter's success in the stud.
A thrilling episode of the early turf days, and one not so
far back but there will be many who will also remember it, and
there are perhaps many who were present and witnessed
the occurrence, as I did, occurs. Prince McGrath was as
game and honorable a turfman as there was anywhere. He
owned Aristides, known as "the little red horse," the winner
of the first Kentucky Derby. Of course, Harper thought
Ten Broeck was the fastest horse that ever set foot on a
track, and, although he never made a wager of any kind,
depending solely on the purses and stakes he won for his
profit, he was always ready to race his horse.
While Aristides had won the Derby, he was considered
no match for the mighty Ten Broeck, and the people, as a
general thing, thought Ten Broeck had the race arranged
between them at his mercy. It was for two and five-eighths
miles and was over the old Lexington track. The beauty
and chivalry of the fair Bluegrass section was gathered there
to witness the race. There were bookmakers in plenty on
the grounds ready to take the money of those who desired
to wager. But Price McGrath mounted a box and shouted
to the people :
" Come on if you want to bet against my horse. 1 will
take all your money and give you the same odds the bookies
offer. You will lose what you bet anyhow. You might as
well give it to a neighbor whom you all know. Come on ;
don't be afraid. I am here ready for business. You know
me. You know I can pay and that I will do it. Give me
your money. I need it."
He had on a long linen duster with great big pockets,
and soon they were bulging with money. He took it in
with both hands. Each man kept his own account. Mc-
Grath gave out no tickets and depended upon the honor of
the bettors to keep a correct account, for everybody was
honest in those days and racing had not become the gambling
game that it is now. Men told the truth and trickery was
unknown.
They were at the post. Bobby Swim had the mount on
the little red horse and Billy Walker, a negro jockey, who
3°
afterward became a well-known owner and trainer, bestrode
Ten Broeck. In fact, the negro jockey always rode Ten
Broeck and made all his records, for Harper set great store
by his sable-hued rider.
At the end of each mile Aristides led, and finally he came
on and won handily. And in the mighty shout that followed
his victory over the supposedly invincible Ten Broeck there
was no voice that was half so loud as that of McGrath. Had
he had to pay out the money that was wagered against his
horse's chances he would have been poverty stricken and
would never have been able to get on his feet again. But
that night there was many a sparkling bottle of champagne
opened and there was much merrymaking in consequence of
the victory of Aristides.
The race between Gray Medoc, Altorf and Denizen was
a thrilling contest. It took place on the Louisiana course,
April 4, 1 841, and thousands of people from all parts of the
country were present and saw it. Enthusiasm was at its
highest pitch, for all the contenders had hosts of admirers.
The conditions were for four-mile heats for a Jockey Club
Purse of $1,000, and it had been advertised from one end of
the country to the other.
The entries were Mr. John Campbell's Altorf (he owned
the celebrated Wagner and Glovina), trained by Watson and
Vanleer ; Mr. Boardman's Denizen, temporarily in the stable
of Camp & Blevins, and Messrs. Kenner's Grey Medoc,
trained by Washington Graves. Grey Medoc was well
known as one of the fastest horses on the turf, and was in
condition to run for a man's life. He was backed freely at
3 and 4 to I against the field. Altorf, a capital performer in
Virginia, where $10,000 was paid for him, had lost ground
since his arrival in the South from having run several races
while out of order. He had lately arrived, too, from Mobile,
and suffered much from a stormy passage across the lake, as
also had Denizen.
Grey Medoc's trainer had frequently assured me that
he was as game as any horse he ever trained, not excepting
the fleet Luda. Just think of his running a heat in 7:35 and
his eighth mile in 1:48, and a third heat of four miles in 7:42.
Had the reader seen him come along up the quarter stretch
at the close of his sixteenth mile — so gallantly and so beauti-
31
fully, his high spirit unsubdued, with crest erect and di-
lated nostrils — and observed his proud bearing and flashing
eyes, he might have termed this equine prodigy the wraith
of the matchless Bucephalus, the pride of Alexander the
Great of Macedonia. Truly he was a picture, such as is suf-
ficient at any time to gladden the heart of every true lover of
the turf and its horses.
The first heat was a dead one between Grey Medoc and
Altorf ; time, 7:35. In the second heat there was also a
struggle between these two monarchs of the land of racing —
Grey Medoc and Altorf — but the latter won by less than a
head ; time, 8:19.
But Altorf was tiring and in the third trial Grey Medoc
easily beat Altorf, although it is said the latter was laying up
and not trying for this heat, leaving it to the other two. The
time was 7:42.
The result of this heat entitled but two to start for the
fourth heat, Denizen being declared distanced for not having
won a heat in three. He was withdrawn and sent to the
stable, to the regret of every one.
But Grey Medoc and Altorf were apparently fresh and
full of fire. They were off together, running easily side by
side for the two first miles ; but Grey Medoc was seemingly
winning easily. Then there came a hush over the vast as-
semblage. Altorf, who had made such a gallant struggle,
had run his race. He was poor in flesh and he could not
stand the awful strain. Lawson, the rider of Altorf, plied
whip and spur and urged the splendid animal to his utmost.
But his bolt had been shot and Grey Medoc was his master.
John Ford, who had the mount on Grey Medoc, made a mas-
terful effort. It was due to his skill and management of the
horse under him that enabled him to win, and the public
seemed to feel this fact. Chiffeny and Robertson could have
done no better, and this piece of work stamped him as their
equal.
Coming out of the grand stand Ford was met by hun-
dreds of people who had wagered their money on Grey
Medoc, and they filled his hat with bank notes. There were
seven or eight thousand dollars in the pile when he made
his way home. In those days owners divided the purse with
the trainer and the stable boys. The race was the talk of the
32
whole country for weeks. Some questioned the accuracy of
the distance of the track, and it was decided to have a care-
ful measurement made by the civil engineer of the State.
This was done the next day and the track was found to be
something over a mile, as the certificate showed.
A great twenty-mile race took place over the Union
Course at Long Island, and was won by Black Maria, who
defeated Trifle, Lady Relief and Slim; the lormer was by
Eclipse and the latter by Sir Charles' Relief, also by Eclipse.
The great Slim, by Flying Childers, was also in the
race, and it was a battle royal. Trifle was made the favor-
ite. Black Maria's chances were thought lightly of, and she
had few admirers. It was a struggle between the North and
South.
At the post Black Maria stood as motionless as a statue.
She was perfectly cool and not in the least excited. It then
began to be whispered about that she had a chance. They
got off well together. Lady Relief taking the lead, with Slim
close up. Trifle was next and Black Maria was absolutely
last. It was apparent from the start that a waiting race was
being run by all the riders, and that the winner was hardly
likely to turn up until in the last turn of the heat.
Black Maria moved up rapidly at the end of the second
mile and took the lead, closely pressed by Trifle. Thus it
was during the third mile. When about half the distance
had been gone over in the fourth mile Trifle moved up and
took the lead. She seemed to have it won until the last six-
teenth. At this juncture the rider of Black Maria called on
her and she responded nobly. Like a flash she shot past
the fleet-footed Trifle and passed under the wire a winner.
The time was 8:06.
Trifle was still the favorite when the horses came to the
post for the second heat, but the owner of the sable-hued
mare bet everything he had on her chances. Lady Relief
got off in front, with Slim second, Trifle third and Black
Maria last. At the end of the mile Trifle took the lead. Slim
quit in the third circuit and refused to run any further. By
this time Black Maria had moved up from the rear and took
the lead. At the last turn the boy on Black Maria turned to
look back to see where Trifle was, and the latter, close be-
hind, the result was a dead heat. But Black Maria was not
33
at all distressed, and seemed as chipper as when she had
been led out for the start.
Trifle took the lead for the third heat, with Lady Relief
second and Black Maria, as usual, last. The black mare had
got such a bad start, though, that she could not catch up,
and Trifle won, though hard pressed by Lady Relief.
Lady Relief got the best of the start for the fourth heat,
with Trifle second and Black Maria last. Three miles were
gone over in this way without a change of positions, and
Lady Relief seemed to have won. Then Black Maria was
urged, and she shot toward the front. Relief won by a neck,
and sixteen miles had been run by the game thoroughbreds.
At the start for the fifth heat Lady Relief was in front,
Trifle second and Black Maria last. Trifle gave it up at the
end of the nineteenth mile. Lady Relief was leading when
the two contenders galloped into the stretch, but Black
Maria was moving up. Now they were neck and neck, each
boy riding like a demon. Slowly but surely the black mare
drew away from her game antagonist, and finally passed
under the wire a winner amid the plaudits of a great crowd.
It was certainly a grand race, and illustrated beyond a
doubt that Black Maria was one of the grandest mares the
country has ever produced. At the conclusion of the twen-
tieth mile she was not "all out'' by any means, and could
have done another heat with ease.
There have been many dead heats run on the race
tracks of the world, but there was never one so great as
that between Life Boat, Elakim and Prioress for Ihe Czaro-
witch Stakes in 1856. Life Boat and Elakim were bred and
owned in England and Prioress was the property of Richard
Ten Broeck, of Kentucky.
The three horses finished under the wire so closely
together that the judges were unable to determine which
had won. Another heat resulted in a victory for the
American mare.
Prioress was by sovereign, out of Reel, and was bred
by Jeiferson Wells, of Louisiana. Life Boat went into the
race as a red hot favorite and the Britishers bet their
money on his chances eagerly. The second choice was
Elakim, and the American daughter of the great Reel was
scoffed at by all save the few Americans who happened to be
34
present. A certain pride of nativity made them put down
their dollars on the mare that carried the colors of the land
over which the eagle screams and the motto of which says
"Hustle."
The British taunted the Americans and then out came
dollars from yarn socks and every hiding place, showing
that the spirit of '' 'jd was not only not dead, but was not
even sleeping. Mr. Ten Broeck, who was a man with an
immense amount of nerve, fairly poured the gold into the
ring on his brown mare.
It was and anxious crowd that watched that race from
the grand stand, but Mr. Ten Broeck never for a moment
faltered in his allegiance to his mare.
'* She will win," he said firmly, and his friends believed
him.
At the drop of the flag away flew the American mare,
setting a furious pace. Old timers fairly held their breath
and said no horse ever bred could stand such speed for any
length of time. The two English horses were doing their
best, but the gap gradually widened between them and the
flying leader, who showed not the slightest sign of faltering.
Indeed, she seemed to gain fresh strength with each fling
forward of her lithe and silken-covered form. Life Boat
stagered. His tail went up in the air. His race was run.
Elakim, with the sturdy tenacity of his Arabian sires, clung
on. But there was a limit to endurance. Elakim reached
it. His struggle was ended. He could battle no more.
Both horses, beaten, dropped back in the ruck, and for the
remainder of the distance the twinkling heels of swift
Prioress danced in their faces.
Dismay filled the English hearts, and a shout went up
from the little colony of Americans such as one only hears
on the Fourth of July here at home.
Thousands of English sovereigns were rapidly changed
into American dollars, and Admiral Rouse, who was the
judge, said Prioress was the best game animal of the year
in the whole world.
Of course, the great dead heat between Domino and
Henry of Navarre was the greatest one of the kind ever run
in America, and it is still fresh in the public mind.
35
Another was the dead heat between D'Artagnan and
Ozark, the brown son of Pat Maloy and imp. Sunny
South, which was run at Saratoga. It attracted attention
everywhere on the face of the earth where the people are
interested in the development of the thoroughbred.
Of the many sensational races which have been run in Amer-
ica during the last twenty-five years, none has given more
general interest and concern than the great dead heat for the
Saratoga Cup between Preakness and Springbock. When
in the same race such brilliant performers as Grinsted, Wild
Idle, Olitipa and Ruthiford were left to struggle so far in
the rear, the time, 3m. 56i^s., was a record breaker, and
remains the record up to this day. Another one of the most
noted races which has taken place during the last twenty-
five or thirty years on the American turf was the great
struggle in the dead heat at Sheepshead Bay between those
two giants of the turf, Dobins and Domino. There probably
never was any race that took place in the vicinity of New
York which created such local interest and enthusiasm as
this one. The two memorable victories of the great Mono-
chist over the celebrated Harry Bassett, there and then again
in a few days, four miles, were very popular local victories,
which came like an unexpected avalanche upon the betting
public, but not so his trainer or his owner.
One of the greatest races, especially over a distance of
ground, was the four-mile heat race which took place over
the Sheepshead Bay track and was between Fereader, Glen-
more and some other whose name I don't recall at this time,
and was won by Fereader in the best time ever made by
any mare in the world, 7m. 23s. The great strug-
gles between Harry Bassett and the great Longfellow for
the Monmouth Park Cup and the Saratoga Cup, in which
they alternated successes, Longfellow winning and beat
ing Bassett at Monmouth Park, and Bassett in turn beating
Longfellow for the Saratoga Cup the same season. In this
last race Longfellow pulled up lame and was never trained
afterwards, but was consigned to the stud, where he greatly
distinguished himself through his progeny. Another
amongst the greatest races that ever took place at any time
or place in America, in my humble opinion, and this opinion
was shared by the two gentlemen who owned the horses
36
between which the race occurred — this was the race between
Prince Leafe and Ben Brush, i ^ miles, 128 lbs. up, in 2m. 34s.,
track actually heavy. In talking over the race the fol-
lowing- day, both Mr. Michael Dwyer and Byron McClel-
land agreed that it was by all odds the best race that either
had ever seen run, Mr. Dwyer remarking that he believed
that the race in question would have won any English
Derby that had ever taken place. At that moment he re-
marked : " I have nobody to blame but myself ; though 1 ran
the best horse and lost, and lost my money also, 1 fully
agree with them that unless the race run by Scisonby last
fall, 2% miles, over the Sheepshead Bay track, was as good,
or perhaps better, I never saw any other as good."
Another of the great races that made an epoch on the
American turf close to the middle of the 19th century took
place over the Woodlawn Course, near Louisville, Kentucky,
the contestants in this race being Molly Jackson, by Vandal,
out of Emily Right, by imported Margrave, and Colton, by
Lexington, dam Topaze by imported Glenco; Sherod, by
Lecompt, dam the famous Picayune, by Medock ; and al-
though one of the fasicsi races ever run in the world, at the
distance, even up to this day, and won at three heats by Molly
Jackson, the first heat won by Molly Jackson in 5m. 35 ^s.,
Colton second, Sherod third and Betty Ward last in this
heat. The second heat was won by Sherod, who led Molly
Jackson by half a length, Colton third, time 5:34^ ; the third
heat was lost to Molly Jackson by Mer Clay's horse Colton
making a most palpable foul on Sherod, by carrying him
clean out to the outside fence as Sherod started to make his
run at the head of the last stretch, causing Sherod to lose at
least five or six lengths, which he had to make up in less
than a quarter of a mile, and was only beaten a neck on the
post in fastest heat, less three-quarters of a second, which
had been made in California by Norfolk, when he ran three
miles in 5m. 27^5., this third heat won by Molly in 5:28^.
It was evident that Sherod was the best horse inthis race and
should have won but for Colton's interference at the head
of the stretch, which won the race for Mollie Jackson, beat-
ing Sherod only a neck on the post with Bettie Ward third ;
the last or ninth mile of this remarkable race was run in
im. 48s,, and the heat in 5m. 28%s.
37
Of the great fillies bred and raced on the American
turf during the last fifty years, if not during any age of the
American turf, there is not one who stands higher and justly
so than does that little prodigy, Firenze. She beat all of the
best race horses of her day, and was to the turf, as a mare,
just what Salvator was as a horse. Firenze was by Glen-
elge, out of Florida, and was foaled in 1884 at the Elmendorf
Stud, near Lexington, Kentucky. A list of her victories
during the seven years that she was on the turf would in-
clude all of the great prizes. She met and defeated Han-
over, The Bard, Exile, Tenny and other noted kings and
queens of the turf. Some of her most noted achievements
were the winning of the Harvest Handicap, the Monmouth
Cup and the Monmouth Handicap in 1888, the Handicap
Sweepstakes at Monmouth in 1889.
Salina, the dam of Salvator, was a good race mare and
granddaughter of the famous mare Levity, by imported
Trustee. In his Levity strains Salvator had some of the
bluest blood and the most highly prized in this country. In
1889 he won all of the choicest prizes that are set apart for
three-year-olds, except the Omnibus Stakes. In 1890 he
reached the height of his glory ; that year was the scene
of the fierce struggle with Tenny; he won the Suburban in
2m. 6 4-5S., the best time that had yet been recorded
for the event. His achievement was not a surprise,
for he was a prime favorite in the betting. Tenny ran third
in this race, which led to the special match between the two
that came off a week later, Salvator again defeating his op-
ponent. In August of that same year he ran his great
mile for a purse against the record, im. 39XS.; this race was
run at the Monmouth Park, and the time which the peer-
less son of Prince Charley put up, im. 35>^s., has remained
the record, unchallenged, ever since. The same year he won
the Titan stakes, the Jersey Handicap, the September
stakes and other important events. After his retirement
from the turf he stood at Mr. J. B. Haggin's Rancho Del
Paso Stud.
CHAPTER IV.
Origfin of Steeplechasingf.
The origin of steeplechasing is absolutely a creature of
Irish adventure. The Irish gentlemen, who were not only-
fond of following the hounds, but reveled in every feature
of the chase, some one hundred and twenty-five years ago,
not altogether satisfied with taking the ditches, streamlets
and hedges, concluded to introduce the taking of six-foot
stiff timbers as a better test of man's art in the pigskin and
likewise his moral courage and nerve. Although many a
gallant fellow, in taking these jumps, was involuntarily dis-
mounted and sometimes carried home with sore shoulders,
or sprained legs or arms, nevertheless this was kept up for
several years, to the delectation and amusement of all
classes.
In about the year 1735 they began cross-country racing,
and thence about this time they also began to give small
prizes under the auspices of hurdle racing, and this was
soon indorsed by all of the Irish nobility and countenanced
by every class of citizens. It was of but short duration
before it resolved itself in the estimation of this sport-loving
people as the greatest out-door recreation known to man;
and as every turf student well knows that no people on the
earth has a higher estimate of the thoroughbred horse and
has done as much to encourage and foster every class
of racing, yet with them steeplechase racing held high car-
nival in the hearts of this people, even in the days when
they had their greatest flat racers, such, for instance, as
their Harkaways, Economist, old Fogaballa, etc., this style
of racing held its popularity supreme over other sports, and
does yet.
About eighty years ago a great match race took place
and was run in the public road, which was chained and
measured ; the distance was five miles and terminated
at a point known in Ireland as "The Red Church." The
stakes were for $5,000 a side and was won by a horse called
Peter Maning. Over this match excitement was carried
39
clean into England, and many thousand pounds were won
and lost on this contest. The race was well contested all
of the way over eight hurdles, until the last one, when one
of the contestants fell, dislocated a shoulder, and was
destroyed in consequence. This race gave rise, or inspired,
so it is said, steeplechasing and hurdle racing in England,
where ever since it has been conducted on the scale of mag-
nificence, to the delight of all patrons and the nobility of
Europe ; even King Edward often has a horse entered in
the race to give character and to add to its zest.
About fifty-three years ago Mr. R. A. Alexander con-
ceived the idea and undertook to encourage hurdle racing
in America, and he, being a grand man, who did everything
in a grand way, commenced it it in the right way. At first
he employed Bill Jennings as both jockey and trainer, with
Brown Dick, or Edward Brown, and Harvey Welch as his
assistant riders or steeplechase and hurdle jockies, but, best
of all, from the very start, he sent good cattle into the field,
and the result was both a popular and grand success. This
is the class of men that make a success in all enterprises ;
they bring light out of chaos.
Mr. Robert A. Alexander's career as a turfman was not
long lived, but oh, what a brilliant and beneficent one it
was, and what a valuable adjunct the breeding world and
turf lost when the grim reaper of death called him to doff
his hat. Just suppose he could have been spared to have
lived so he could have vied in the best interest of the Amer-
ican turf with such men as William C. Whitney, August
Belmont, James R. Keene and other noted leaders of the
American turf to-day. It only remains for a few of these
latter gentlemen to identify themselves with hurdle racing
to bring it up to that high pitch it so justly deserves as a
novel and grand sport. With the great number of thor-
oughbreds we are breeding in this country annually, we
should find no difficulty in soon producing the winner of
the Grand Metropolitan Handicap Steeplechase in England.
Join hands and hearts and let's see if we can't go over and
show John Bull the way to lay the rail and that we are the
only people who can stay on it after it is laid. All that is
needed to do so is to breed a few more Rosebens, learn
them to take the jumps, then keep them under cover prop-
40
erly and land in old England some congenial morning and
shake hands with English gentry and get a mortgage on the
British Islands. The thing can be done. This is from an
optimistic standpoint and I must confess that I have yet to
hear of a man that expects to hit the moon by shooting
downward instead of upward.
CHAPTER V.
The Strain of Blood*
There are hundreds of other races that have a claim to
distinction, but lack of space forbids their mention. These,
however, are given simply to show to what illustrious line-
age the horses of to-day are able to point when they are
actually bred in the purple. It is my intention to endeavor
to illustrate as far as possible why a man makes a mistake in
not buying a good horse, instead of one of mediocre ability,
when he concludes to embark in racing as a business.
I have tried to show where the best strains of blood lie
and for what the horses mentioned were especially noted.
In following me through this work the reader will readily
comprehend why certain crosses in breeding are essential to
produce speed and endurance. On the other hand, it may
be urged that the celebrated Brown Kitty, Picayune, Min-
erva Anderson, Black Sophia and others were not thorough-
breds. Brown Kitty had no breeding, with the exception
of one cross by Birmingham, being out of George Thomas'
quarter mare Kit, who, although bred to Glencoe, Imported
Trustee and other of the best stallions of Kentucky, was
never able to produce a foal of any consequence.
Picayune had three crosses on her dam's side, but they
were good. She was bred by Ben Jenkins. She gave to
the world Ha'penny, Miss Belle, Doubloon, Florin, Louis
d'Or, Ducatoon, Lindora, Dime, Sherrod and others.
Minerva Anderson was not of the quality. She brought
forth Mariam, who was the dam of Magenta, who in turn
was the dam of the Duke of Magenta. Mariam had no
claim to distinction regarding her parentage. She, in my
opinion, proved to be one of the best brood mares up to the
present time.
Black Sophia, by Topgallant, was the dam of Sarah
Bladen, Bob Sarden and a host of other performers of note
on the turf.
Still, with all this evidence, I contend that it is better
to own a horse actually in the purple than one of obscure
42
origin, for blood will tell. Breeding is a lottery. We see
every year men giving thousands of dollars for the grandest
horses of Europe and the Orient, and often when they bring
them to this country they are never able to get anything
worthy of notice. The hardy characteristics, good temper
and fine feeding properties must be obtained.
Why did Glencoe succeed so admirably? The answer
is the only one that can be given : He was crossed on our
game, hardy Medoc, Wagner, Bertrand and Sumpter mares.
The reason so much nervous temperament is discernible
in the horse of this day, compared with the horse of former
years, is because we are getting so far away from these
level-headed mares. We must breed scientifically and give
the matter the deepest thought. And in this connection it
will not be out of place to mention some of the famous
regally bred matrons who have founded families that
attained distinction.
Let us begin with the case of Maria Black. She was
by Filho-da-puta, and was a winner at all distances. She
left a progeny that became famous. Her first colt was John
Black, by Imported Trustee. He was a good, consistent
performer. Her next foal was Sallie Waters, by Glencoe.
She was a grand mare, and was matched against Lexington
for $5,000 in three-mile heats, but, of course, she could not
beat the blind hero. Then she foaled Hebron, by Lexing-
ton, and he was sent to England ; Bay Flower, Bay Water,
Bay Final, Preakness and Bayonet, all by Lexington, and all
of whom were well-known performers. But the principal
claim to distinction of this^mare was through her daughter
Oak Leaf, by Imported Yorkshire. Several of the foals of
Oak Leaf were sent to England and were winners over there.
Mary Morris, by Medoc, dam Miss Obstinate or The
Mule, by Sumpter, was a great mare. She produced Wild
Irishman and Frankfort, by Imported Glencoe. One of her
daughters was Kitty Clark, by Glencoe, who produced
Maiden, by Lexington, who in turn produced Parole,
Pawnee, James A. and others. Another was La Henderson,
who produced the Great Fereda and Aella. The former
was the best filly in America of her years and has to her
credit the fastest and best heat at four miles ever run by any
mare in the world. It was done at the Sheepshead Bay
43
track when she beat Glenmore. The author was present
and timed this race. Alone this race would have made her
famous and also brought glory to Mary Morris. Then there
was Parole, the fastest two- and three-year-old of his years in
America. He won the Suburban Handicap in England, in
which he met and defeated Isonomy, the best horse of the
period.
Now comes Maria Grey, by Robin Grey, who is the
source of the Vandal family. Colonel Milt Young, the well-
known Kentuckian and turf authority, believes after careful
investigation that no other family of horses ever produced
so many celebrities at all distances. Maria Grey was the
dam of Rowena, by Sumpter, who was the grandam of
Lexington and great-grandam of Vandal. Of this famous
family were Black Nose, Alaric, Carlotta, Ruric, Stamps,
Barney Williams, Katie Pierce, Grinstead, Volante, Salvator
and hundreds of others.
Another great mare was Brittania IV, by Muley, own
sister to that great horse Muley Moloch, out of Nancy Long-
waist, by Dick Andrews, by Joe Andrews, by O'Kelley's
Eclipse. She produced Verifier, by Imported Belshazzer,
Vandyke, La Variation, Voucher and others, nearly all of
whom were great performers. It must be remembered that
there were two Brittanias. This one was by Muley. The
other was by The Flying Dutchman, who was the dam of
Madame Dudley, Brigand and The Crown Prince. The
latter was so promising as a two-year-old that he was taken
to England, and was highly thought of for the English
Derby. The Brittania by The Flying Dutchman was a
great mare, but she was short lived and had but few foals.
She was brought to this country by the Importing Company
of Kentucky. I have been thus explicit in order to avoid
confusion.
Probably the best brood mare that ever lived was Pica-
yune, out of Sallie Howe, by William of Transport, consid-
ering the injudicious manner in which she was bred. Her
first foal was Ponette, by The Poney, and the latter was by
Leviathan. Her next foal was Ha'penny, by Birmingham,
a well-bred stallion, who sired Brown Kitty and then got no
more that proved of any consequence. Brown Kitty met
and defeated Verifier at two miles. Ha'penny, the year
44
she was a three-year-old, at New Orleans, met and defeated
Jerry Lancaster, Red Rover and Mary Waller, at four-mile
heats, in three heats over the Metaire course. Picayune's
next foal was the fleet little Miss Belle, by Frank.
Her next foal was Doubloon, by Imported Margrave.
This was one of the best race horses of any time and any
country. Then came Florin, a full brother to Doubloon.
Duncan Kenner and his trainer. Wash Graves, thought
Florin was the best horse ever bred in America. The winter
he was five years old they started him fourteen times. He
won thirteen races. He started in the fourteenth and won
the first heat from Charmer and Bettie Oliver. Then he
dropped down and died on the track before the time to start
for the second heat. He had ruptured a blood vessel.
The next foal of Picayune was Louis d'Orr, by Imported
Sarpedon. Caroline, by Yorkshire, followed. This filly
was crippled on an ice pond as a yearling and was never
trained. However, she proved a good brood mare. Then
came to Picayune Moidore, by Imported Yorkshire, an ani-
mal of some note. About this time Lindora, by Lexington,
put in an appearance. She was a good race mare. The
next foal was Sherrod, by Le Compte, one of the best race
horses of the country. A full brother to Lindora was sold
to Judge John Hunter, of Mobile, Ala., and was trained as a
two-year-old. But the Civil War broke out and the colt was
stolen and was never heard of again. He is supposed to
have been ridden away by a bushwhacker from one of the
armies.
Picayune went to the stud twenty-three times and
brought forth twenty-two live colts. She died in foal to
Uncle Vic.
The great Reel, by Imported Glencoe, out of Imported
Galopade, by Catton, was bred by Jeff Wells, of Louisiana,
and was one of the best race mares of her day. She was
equally as distinguished as a brood mare, having produced
Le Compte, by Boston (the only horse that ever beat Lex-
ington), Stark, Prioress, Ann Dunn, Uncle Jeff, Calvert and
Capt. Elgie, all of whom were winners, some of them in
England.
Magnolia, by Glencoe, dam Imported Myrtle, by Eng-
lish Marma Luke, enjoyed distinction. She produced the
45
three great brothers, Kentucky, Daniel Boones, and Gilroy,
Skeedaddle, Princeton, Magic, Madonna, Sly Boots and
others.
Then it will not do to overlook Sarah Washington, by
Garrison's Zinganee, who produced Nat Pope, by Pamonk^^ ;
Inspector, by Boston ; Sue Washington, by Revenue ; Fannie
Washington, by Revenue, and Ninnette, by Imported
Eclipse. The breeders of Virginia considered Sarah Wash-
ington the best brood mare of her day.
In closing I will mention Blinky, by Muckle John, who
produced Josh, Bob Snell, The Dutchman, Shavetail, Viley
and Little Flea, all by Grey Eagle, the son of Woodpecker
and grand-uncle of the great Hanover.
In spite of the claim made by the English that their
horses are the best bred in the world, I contend that the
grandest horses the world has ever known first saw the
light in America and that their blood is that of Sir Archie
and his descendants, commingled with that of Glencoe.
Sir Archie was by Diomed, out of Castiamra, by Rock-
ingham. The best of his get was Timoleon, who got
Boston, and the latter got Lexington. Sir Archie also got
Sumpter, who left a race of daughters that perpetuated his
fame ; Bertrand, who was a grand race horse and left a
famous race of broodmares ; Sir Charles, the sire of Wag-
ner and Bonnets of Blue ; Sir William of Transport, whose
daughters are well known to fame, and a multitude of
others, nearly all of whom achieved greatness on the turf.
The Sumpter mares have produced the best horses in
the world by all classes of stallions, among which might be
mentioned Rowena, grandam of Lexington ; Cherry Elliott,
dam of Tangent; Yarrico, dam of Nannie Rhodes; Ann
Mary, dam of Cub and grandam of Wild Irishman, Frank-
fort, Fanny Fern and Fannie Campbell. The Bertrand
mares got such notables as Blue Bonnet, Lightning, Lode-
stone, Thunder, Little Arthur, who trace back on their
maternal side to Gray Fannie ; Queen Mary, dam of Red
Eye the First ; Quiz, dam of Nantura, grandam of Long-
fellow and great-grandam of Ten Broeck ; Isola, dam
of Olio, and Miss Chester.
The Medoc mares trace back to this source of blood,
but they are now extinct. They produced many good per-
46
formers, however. In every strain they perpetuated their
fame.
The Lexington mares, who are also now extinct, but
whose daughters survive and are adding every year to the
fame of the grand old sire, were gold mines to their owners.
They produced such superb performers as Idlewild, Fellow-
craft, Rutherford, Spendthrift, Miser, Artistides (out of
Sarong), Enquirer (out of Eliza), Hamburg, Hira (dam of
Himyar, who was the size of Domino), The Banshee (dam
of Krupp Gun), Maiden (dam of Parole, Pawnee, James A),
La Henderson (dam of Fireda and Aella). Leamington's
reputation was based on Lexington mares, except in two
instances — Longfellow and Radamanthus.
The Glencoe mares were in a class by themselves.
Reel produced La Compte (the only horse that ever beat
Lexington), Prioress, Ann Dunn, Fannie King, grandam of
Brown Dick ; Charmer, great grandam of Marion, who
produced Rey del Rey, El Rio Rey, Empress of Norfolk,
The Czar and Yo Tambien, who with Modesty was an
American Derby winner ; Fannie Fern (dam of Oli Tippax) ;
Volga (dam of Barney Williams) ; Ann Watson (dam of
Rhinodine and Floride) ; Peytona, who defeated Fashion
(dam of Transylvania); Maroon (Baltimore's dam and also
that of Richmond); Topaz (dam of Waterloo, Austerlitz and
Lodi).
Glencoe's sons also rose to eminence. Vandal was
probably the greatest. He sired Virgil, who in turn sired
the celebrated Hindoo, and the latter gave to the racing
world Hanover. Panic, Rigadoon, Union, Rory O' Moore,
Little Arthur and Highlander all attained greatness as per-
formers and producers.
The War Dance mares were a cross between the Lex-
ington and the Glencoe strains, and no mares probably pro-
duced great performers with such consistency.
The claims I have made can not be controverted. This
is the fleetest, stoutest and best strain of horses ever pro-
duced.
CHAPTER VL
How I Became a Turfman*
Perhaps the story of how I came to be a turfman and to
spend the best days of my life as a rider, trainer and owner
may not be uninteresting at this juncture, for it will illus-
trate clearly to young men who contemplate embarking in
the business the trials through which they must pass.
I was born in the city of Lexington, at the corner of
Short and Cheapside, June 5, 1827. One evening when I
was about ten years of age I formed the acquaintance of
Stephen Welsh. We were playing hide and seek in the old
market house and were having a royal time. Welsh and I
were soon fast friends, and he gained such an ascendency
over me that on the following morning he persuaded me to
run away and become a jockey. I wrapped up a few of my
belongings in a piece of paper, met Welsh, and we tramped
down the old Frankfort road to Robert Burbage's stock farm
and training stables near the Forks of Elkhorn.
I told Mr. Burbage that my parents had sent me out to
secure work and make a living. At first he was disinclined
to credit my story, but I clung to my statement and could
not be shaken in the recital. Mr. Burbage saw I was of
small stature and that there was some promise in me as a
jockey, concluded to give me a chance to show what was in
me, and that in the meantime he would investigate the truth-
fulness of my story.
To test my courage, the next day he put me to walking
a horse called Whipster around the ring with the other
boys. The animal began jumping and plunging, but I was
not abashed and laughed and held to him. A negro groom
called Harry Lewis, who afterward became distinguished as
the trainer of Lexington, told Mrs. Burbage at dinner
that day that he felt sure the stable had obtained a jewel.
He said I was a natural born rider, and even then he was
convinced I was the best boy in the stable. Welsh, who
induced me to run away from home, rode Gray Eagle in his
races with Wagner and became a famous jockey.
48
I was put right on from walking to galloping horses,
and the first animal I ever bestrode was the vicious Whip-
ster. My mother, in the meantime, had ascertained my
whereabouts and had written Mr. Burbage. She said if 1
was satisfied and was willing to adopt riding as a profession
I might remain until the racing in the fall, at which time she
would see him and confer further concerning my future
career.
The next spring I left Mr. Burbage and went to White
Sulphur Springs, Scott county, where I secured employment
at exercising with James Fenwick, a noted breeder of that
day. He bred Quiz, the grandam of Longfellow, and her
sister. Queen Mary, besides a host of other celebrities. I re-
mained there three years, and frequently galloped Quiz. In
this connection I wish to call the attention of the reader to
my previous statement that breeding is a lottery. Quiz was
of no earthly account as a performer, while her sister was
considered good enough to run against Gray Eagle, Wagner
or any others of her day. But she produced Nantura, who
was the dam of Longfellow. Queen Mary gave to the world
the first Red Eye, by imp. Sarpedan.
In those days the stable boys slept at the house and were
treated as members of the family. I had few privations and
got along well with the trainers and grooms. Everybody
seemed to take an interest in me, probably on account of my
small size and my precocity, for even then I was a close ob-
server.
I left Mr. Fenwick in 1842 and became attached to the
stable of the famous Jim Shy. He lived on the race track
at Lexington and had Theatrus, The Splotch Mare and a
half dozen others in training there, including Rothschild,
with whom he won the two most important stakes at the
meeting that year. There I remained for a number of years
and got my first mount as a jockey.
Mr. Shy had promised me for weeks before that he
would give me a chance, and I looked forward to the time
I should sit in the saddle and ride a sure enough race with a
great deal of eagerness. Finally, the eventful day arrived.
I cared little for the class of the horse I was to be on. All I
wanted then was to ride. They put me on a mare named
Pinderella, by Monmouth Eclipse. She was of ordinary call-
49
ber, and I did my best, but could do no better than finish
third in the race. The next time out I also lost.
But the third time I showed them who laid the rail. I
was on a horse belonging- to a man named Sherley, who had
a stock farm near Louisville. The colt was by imp. Margrave
and was called Martinet. It was over the old Oakland
course, and there were eight or nine starters. We got off
well together at the tap of the drum. I was instructed to
trail till I came to the head of the stretch. I kept within
distance of the leading horse for three-quarters of a mile.
Then I pulled a little wide and came on home winner of the
heat with comparative ease.
Paddy Burns, of Frankfort, a famous Bluegrass plunger,
who had backed my mount for the heat, approached me and
handed me three sovereigns. It was my first fee and I w^as
anxious to distinguish myself by winning the race. I was
instructed to lay up the next heat unless I got off well, and
as I did not do so I lost the heat. The third heat my horse
had cooled off and rested well. At the tap of the drum I
went to the front, and with a good swinging pull all the way
I maintained the lead.
Burns was again backing me, and the next day he took
me down town and bought me two good suits of clothes and
gave me a twenty-dollar bill. It was the first large amount
of money I had ever possessed and I had no pocketbook.
I was terribly afraid I would lose the money, and I tied
it up in one corner of the tail of my shirt. It reached home
with me safely and I turned it over to Mrs. Shy with in-
structions to keep it for me. This happened in about 1845.
Shy was very unlucky with his horses and race after race
he entered and lost by the worst kind of luck. It was the
talk of all the tracks, and there was not a man but felt
sorry for him. Being a man of but limited means, it was
predicted that his turf career would soon have to close as
far as ownership was concerned. But the tide turned. Dal-
las, by Robinson, out of Theatrus, was entered in a race about
1846 at Lexington for the three best in five heats. I had
the mount and won the race in four heats, losing the third.
Then originated the famous saying that is now a familiar
one all over the South — " Shy won a heat.'' You may hear
it in Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, Virginia, Louisiana, and
5°
even in tlie far East. I won the heat for Shy and brought
him the first pleasant smile he had had for many a day from
the fickle goddess.
I severed my connection with Shy the following year,
and when Richard Ten Broeck was organizing a stable to
make a tour through Canada I went with him as his chief
jockey. We landed at Toronto, and in due course of time
the trainer had the horses in shape for active work.
We swept everything before us and won all the races in
which our horses were entered. Finally we came to Quebec
at the Queen's course on the Plains of Abraham. There we
arranged a killing, and we certainly made it. I was on Sallie
Ward (a mare by John R. Grimes) in a three-mile heat race.
The only contender was Grace Darling, although there were
several others in it.
I landed the first heat with Sallie Ward, and Grace Dar
lino- captured the second ; but I knew all the time that the
o-ame little Kentucky mare was the better of the two. Mr.
Ten Broeck was anxious to win as much as possible on the
race, but, as Grace Darling was a noted mare and had lost
but few if any races that year, he was doubtful. In conse-
quence, he arranged with me that he was not to make a bet
until I showed him conclusively that we had the race well in
hand.
Lord Parish owned Grace Darling, and up to that time
she had never lost a race where the heats were broken.
After I had won the first heat Mr. Ten Broeck asked me
what I thought of the prospect for winning. I told him it
was good.
" Well," he said, " if you see you can win lay up the
next heat, but raise your cap after two and one-half miles
have been run to let me know you are sure of your game."
In the meantime he was sitting by the side of Lord Par-
ish in the grand stand, watching the race. As in the first
heat, I laid close behind Grace Darling all the way. At the
two miles I shook up my horse a little, and she responded so
liberally that I knew she had lots of speed in reserve, and
would be there when it was necessary to deliver the goods.
On we went around the turn, and at the point agreed upon I
again called on her. As before, she was full of run, and I
raised my hand to my cap as if it were falling off.
51
Mr. Ten Broeck had so much confidence in my judg-
ment that he wagered $25,000 with Lord Parish that Sal lie
Ward would win the next heat. Now, as I have said, Grace
Darling had never lost a race where the heats were broken-
for the reason that she had wonderful powers of endurance.
The Britisher was so confident that his mare would win that
he readily put up the money, and he went further and agreed
to bet his famous mare Gipsy, a full sister to Medoc, on the
result. Mr. Ten Broeck was only too delighted at this prop-
osition, for he had long been trying to buy Gipsy, believing
her to be a comer.
For the last and deciding heat we got oflf evenly, and I
let Grace Darling get in the lead. I was never far away,
though, and always had her at my mercy. On we went with
the speed of the wind. Grace Darling was pressed to her
utmost, and was doing her level best at every stride. On the
other hand, I was holding my horse in reserve. Lord Parish
thought he had won and his face was wreathed in smiles, for
he saw himself the winner of about $50,000. He informed
Mr. Ten Broeck that it was all over but the shouting, and he
and his friends joked about the matter. But I was on Sallie
Ward, and I had not called on her for the supreme burst of
speed that I knew she had concealed in her graceful little
legs.
We were on the last quarter. Grace Darling was lead-
ing still, but every nerve was in play and she was at her best.
I smiled and shook the rein a trifle. Sallie Ward moved up
quickly. I was at her flanks ; then at her saddle girths ; then
we were on even terms ; then Sallie Ward's pretty head was
shoved in front of that of the British horse. A low cluck
urged her on, and fast and faster flew her nimble feet. I
was a length ahead, and when we passed under the wire
there was daylight between us. I had won the greatest race
ever seen on a Canadian track.
An Irishman, who had been following us through the
country and winning on our starters, bet we would win the
first heat. Before the second he came to me in the paddock
and asked me what I would do in the second. I told him I
hardly thought we would win. With this tip he bet his
money on the British horse. Of course, he won. Then, in-
stead of coming to me and getting another tip for the third,
52
he was satisfied that Grace Darling would win and put up
everything he had on Grace Darling. He sent $2,000 with
someone and wagered it with Mr. Ten Broeck.
As I dismounted, after winning the third and concluding
heat, he approached me and in the presence of a large crowd
said :
" You blue-bellied Yankees would rob St. Peter of the
throne if Jesus Christ didn't lock it up every night and hide
the key."
" You lost," said I, " because you didn't come back for
the third tip. I told you the truth twice and you ought to
have trusted me the third time."
When we returned to Kentucky I left Mr. Ten Broeck
and went back to Shy. In the stable of the latter at that
time was the afterward famous race horse Doubloon, by imp.
Margrave, out of Picayune He was then a two-year old,
but he showed evidences of wonderful speed. It was decided
to simply jog him along and not put him to the test until he
became a three-year old, when his muscles would be hard-
ened and his lithe body developed. I exercised him all that
season, and when the meeting opened at Lexington the fol-
lowing spring I was selected to ride him. The first race we
won was the Phoenix Hotel Stakes at mile heats, and he
landed both of them easily. The Citizens Stakes was the
next race in which he was entered. There he again showed
his superiority, and I brought him first under the wire. By
this time we realized there was a very great horse in our
stable.
Returning to Louisville, we won the Gait House Stakes
without any trouble. Mr. James A. Grinstead, his owner,
sold him to William Greer, of Dover, Mason County, Ky.,
for $1,500. At this time such a horse would have readily
brought $100,000. For his new owner Doubloon won many
thousands of dollars, but he in turn became doubtful of his
lasting qualities and sold him to a Polander named Skiman-
sky. The latter showed his wisdom in making the purchase
by taking him to New Orleans, where his winnings flowed
in a golden stream into the coffers of the foreigner. Doub-
loon was never placed in the stud, and died in Missouri
about 1865.
By this time I had become a trainer and formed a part-
53
nership with Edward Eagle. We opened a public stable and
trained many high-class horses, including Goodwood, Ice-
burg, Vesuvius and Ella D., the grandam of Hanover. I
consider her to have been every whit as good as her grand-
son, and she was certainly a mighty queen of the turf.
Goodwood was by Lexington out of Evergreen, by imp.
Glencoe, and was owned by Col. John R. Viley, of Lexing-
ton. Ben Pryor, a trainer, of Natchez, Miss., had the horse
as a two and three-year-old, and he sent him back to Col.
Viley, saying there was nothing in him, and that he could
never win enough to pay his feed bill. When I separated
from Eagle and went into business for myself Col. Viley
came to me and suggested that I take the horse on shares.
I thought over the proposition and concluded to take the
chance. At that time, perhaps, I was about the only man in
Kentucky who thought there was anything in this handsome
son of Lexington.
I gave him a careful training till the springtime came,
and then I took him to Louisville. First I put him in a race
with a number of others just as a trial. There was some
interference with Goodwood during the race and he lost to
Sherrod. I was somewhat disappointed at his failure to win,
for I had had great confidence in his ability. I was not
discouraged, however, and, returning to Lexington, I trained
him again for the meeting there. This time his success was
beyond my fondest expectations. He met Black Rebel,
Lila, Starlight, Joe Stoner and other noted horses at two-
mile heats, winning handily. Three days later he was in a
race with the mighty Colossus and several others. He won
two straights without an effort, and was never extended.
By this time his fame was established, and the Pryor castoff
was sold to Judge Hunter for $10,000 that night. Mr. Ten
Broeck was arranging to go to England for a campaign, and
he offered Judge Hunter $10,000, the price he had paid for
the horse, for his running qualities.
" Why," said Judge Hunter, proudly, " $10,000 wouldn't
buy a hair in that horse's tail."
Mr. Ten Broeck was so impressed with the perform-
ances of Goodwood that he afterward bought his full sister,
Myrtle, and took her to England. There she was entered
in the rich Czarowitch Stakes, and in a field of thirty-nine of
the best-blooded animals of old England she finished second.
CHAPTER VII.
Won Every Stake.
I moved to Missouri in 1862, bringing with me Creigh-
ton, the last colt of imp. Glencoe, a full brother to Blonde
and Maroon, and Ada Kennett. James K. Duke, an exten-
sive breeder, of Kentucky, had died a short time previously,
and I had been engaged to take charge of his horses. This
I did, and I considered that I could obtain better prices for
them if I raced and sold them in Missouri.
I won every stake in Missouri that year with Ada Ken-
nett, and Creighton more than paid for his keep.
Having nothing to keep me longer in Missouri after the
horses were sold at the end of the season, I returned to
Lexington. At a public sale there I purchased ten or twelve
horses for Benjamin Hutchinson, a breeder, of Missouri.
Among them were Lilac, who afterward produced Gray
Cloud and many other celebrities, and Evangeline, a highly-
bred mare.
Annie Travis was also in the string. She turned out
Tidal Wave, Athlene and a host of others noted for their
speed. Derby, by Eclipse out of Lady Taylor, was bought
from Rufus Lyle, who acted as agent for Major B. G.
Thomas, and sold him against the wishes of the latter. He
defeated Maiden, the dam of the celebrated Parole, and won
nearly all the other stakes at St. Louis.
At this time racing and breeding were at a very low ebb
in Missouri, and I contend that I am practically the father of
racing in the State. I did everything in my power to get
people interested in the matter by inducing them to pur-
chase brood mares and stallions. It was slow work for a
time, but the grand results that are to be observed to-day
are a monument to my efforts. The old Prairie track had
been abandoned and the old Abbey was on its last legs. I
realized that something had to be done, and I went to work
with a will to have a new track established. By dint of per-
suasion enough gentlemen were interested to establish the
55
Laclede track, named in honor of the first white man that
explored the upper Missouri river.
Here there was brilliant racing for a number of years.
Muggins, Derby, The Banshee, Pat Maloy, Ruth, Planta-
ganet, Patrician and hundreds of other horses of the highest
class planted their dainty hoofs on the soil of this course and
won many a hard-fought battle. About this time racing
was perfectly honest in every particular in Missouri, and
there had never been a breath of suspicion against the class
of the sport. But soon after the first taint was manifested,
and gradually the blot has grown upon the escutcheon until
everything on a race track in the State is regarded as at
least worthy of close investigation.
One of the most peculiar races that occurred during this
period was between The Banshee, Pat Maloy and a few
others. The Banshee was in my stable and was owned by
James J. O'Fallon and myself. It was a two-mile heat race,
and The Banshee stepped out and won the first heat handily
from Pat Maloy, who was in reality the only contender and
the one I feared most. I told my jockey to drop in behind
Pat Maloy and jump into the tracks as Maloy dropped out.
Now, Pat Maloy was a bald-faced horse, and, as ill luck
would have it, there was another bald-faced horse bearing a
striking resemblance to him in the race. My boy was never
a careful observer and he selected as the horse he was to
beat the inferior animal. They flew around the track with
the real Pat Maloy in the lead by many lengths, but my
jockey thought it was the scrub horse and that he could
easily overtake him when the test of speed arrived down the
stretch. He hung right to the bogus animal, and suddenly
realizing the state of affairs, I sent a man to the three-eighth
pole to warn the boy. He did so, but by that time it was too
late. The boy made a gallant effort, and was only beaten by
a head on the post.
The mare was high in flesh, as it was her first effort of
the season, and she could not stand the terrible strain. In
consequence, the well-seasoned Pat Maloy came in a winner
at the end of the next and deciding heat. I had lost through
a mistake.
Plantaganet belonged to Mr. O'Fallon, but was in my
stable. He started in a race with the great Ruth and others.
56
It was a three-mile-heat affair. Mr. O'Fallon's horse was con-
sidered an animal of no speed when I got him, but I had him
in such fine shape that he won in two straight heats. A re-
markable feature of this race was the fact that Plantaganet
ran the last half mile of the second heat in 0:48)^.
We won all the big stakes of the meeting with our
horses, and then went to Chicago, where I won two big
stakes with Plantaganet, defeating Blazewater and others.
Two other stakes fell to our lot through the medium of
Altavela. She was a two-year-old at that time and was a
wonderful filly. Malacca and Mollie Jones were easily de-
feated by her, and she could have carried any kind of
weight and won. In the first of these races she was so far
ahead that she stopped and turned around and whinnied like
a colt for its mother. A stableman who was standing at a
gate noticed the predicament of the lad on the filly's back,
and he ran out and shooed her along. At that she ran on and
won by forty or fifty yards.
That same week we put The Corsicanin a race and beat
Moonlight, a grand filly of the year, who afterward became
noted for her marvelous performances. The Corsican was
my individual property, but I sold him to a man named
Holland, and the latter raced him in the South, winning
many stakes and purses. Major Thomas G. Bacon was his
trainer there and had a farm at Edgefield, S. C.
At Saratoga The Banshee won the rich Travis Stake
and the Filly Stake. Altavela won all the two-year-old races
there, beating Oakleaf, who had won all the stakes of this
class in the East up to the time our horses arrived at the
course. I would have won a three-mile dash with Pat
Maloy, who had been purchased by Mr. O'Fallon, but for
the stupidity of my rider. He was seventy-five yards ahead
of James A. Connelly, the only other contender, when he
suddenly pulled up, for no reason whatever, and the latter
won. My boy deliberately stopped the horse and took him
out to the side of the track. Then the crowd began to yell
and shout, and my boy concluded to take another chance.
He started in and gave Maloy his head. Even then, with
all this delay, he was only beaten half a neck. The boy's
mind had become affected through the severe reducing to
make the weight, and this accounts for his strange action.
57
At that time I probably had the best racing stable in the
world. While in point of numbers it did not exceed some
others, the caliber of the horses was better. The fame of
the string was widespread and the Missourians were anxious
to meet me on my return. Several owners went to Ken-
tucky and bought the best horses that were obtainable there.
We met again in the fall, but the result was the same. Once
more they fell victims to the superior speed and handling of
the Davis-O'Fallon string.
Gen. Woodford was a noted horse in Kentucky, and
Charles L. Hunt and James Loop paid $7,000 for him, be-
lieving he could take the measure of the mighty Plantaganet.
He was the chief contender against our horse in the two big
stakes, but we had no trouble in disposing of him in easy
style. The Banshee swept the three-year-old platter and
Altavela attended to all the business in the two-year-old line
with scarcely an effort. By this time it was considered that
our string was almost invincible. There was no one who
could beat us and we seldom lost anything after which we
went.
At New Orleans the same fall The Banshee represented
us in the three-year-old stakes over the old Metaire Course,
which, by the wa)'', is now a cemetery, having been donated
for that purpose by Colonel Howard, a lottery king, who
had been blackballed when he applied for membership to the
jockey club. To avenge himself for the slight placed upon
him he purchased the course and gave it to the city for a
cemetery. Milk-white tombstones now have taken the place
of the feet of flying horses, and the touts who are seen there
are poor fellows who have come to visit the graves of de-
parted relatives.
There The Banshee brought sorrow to the stable. She
was defeated by Locust Post in a dash of a mile, but at that
she only lost by a head. Two days later she redeemed her-
self by beating the same horse, Gen. Ewell and Bayonet in a
two-mile-heat race. Both heats fell to her, and at no time
during the race did any horse reach her side. The rider was
determined to win.
On the fourth day of the same week Plantaganet de-
feated Bayonet, Gilroyand others in a three-mile-heat event,
winning two heats and stamping him as a wonderful per-
S8
former. I laid up the first heat and let Bayonet and Gilroy
fight it out to a dead heat. Then when the second came I
had a fresh horse. My jockey was told to go in and win, as
the others were tired and at his mercy. He followed in-
structions and had not the slightest trouble in winning.
In the spring, at the same place, we met with similar
success, winning all the big stakes.
Later, at Jerome Park, the same season, I won the
American Jockey Club Handicap with Plantaganet, worth
$8,500, giving Abdul Kadir, one of the best four-year-olds of
the season, twenty pounds. Hardy Durham, who had the
mount on Plantaganet, waved his hat at a girl in the grand
stand, and Abdul Kadir crept up and made a dead heat on
account of the carelessness of Durham. But he afterward
paid more attention to what he was doing and won the race.
This was certamly a grand performance for the horse, con-
sidering that he carried the twenty-pound impost and was
running over one of the worst tracks the country ever had.
But it was due to a little piece of diplomacy on my part
that I won, for Plantaganet would never have been able to
have won without the rest necessary. Therefore, I per-
suaded the judges to run another race between the heats.
This was done and Plantaganet came out for the heat in
splendid condition.
The next day The Banshee won the Jerome Park Cup
race, worth about $7,000, from a big field of the best horses
of the day. In the race were Pleasureville, Judge Curtis
(formerly Gen. Duke) and Voxhall, and they were certainly
of the highest class.
Saratoga also yielded up her golden treasures to the
celebrated Davis-O'Fallon string, but by that time our
horses were worn out from the strain that had been put
upon them. They had raced from the South to the North
and back again, and we were compelled to retire many of
them to the stud.
Two years later the get of the famous Pat Maloy came
to the front. They were Ozark, Gen. Harney, Lilly Belle
and Athlene, with a few others. I took them to Long
Branch, and there with Ozark I defeated Aristides, the win-
ner of the first Kentucky Derby ; Calvin, Tom Ochiltree,
and all the distinguished three-year-olds of the year. So
59
carefully had I hidden the condition of my horse from the
outside world that he always went to the post a rank out-
sider. When Ozark met Aristides the first time any book-
maker would have permitted you to write your own ticket,
for he seemed to have so little chance.
Ozark annexed the Kenner Stakes at Saratoga that year.
He ran in another stake against the famous d'Artignan and
clearly defeated the latter, but the judges prevailed upon me
to agree that it was a dead heat and divided the money with
McDonald, the owner of d'Artignan. They urged that he
was a poor man and that the loss of that stake would drive
him from the turf. That is the sole reason I consented. My
horse won the race, though, and I could have had it had I
insisted. However, I wished to give McDonald a chance.
Just now I would like to ask the question : " How many of
the men of to-day would have done as I did?"
Ozark lost a race at Baltimore, but when he went up to
Washington he redeemed himself, winning a novelty race of
four miles. The conditions were that the horse leading at
the half won $400 and the mile $800. These conditions pre-
vailed for each mile. My horse took the lead at the jump
and was never headed. The famous Nettie Norton, who had
just run four miles at Baltimore in 7:23, was the nearest to
him, and she was a quarter of a mile off at the finish. The
track was in frightful shape, but had the race been run over
a good course I am satisfied it would have been done in 7:10.
Ozark that day could have beaten every horse ever bred in
the world. Madge, Joe Cerns, First Chance, Jack Harkaway
and all the others had records, but they were never able to
get within hailing distance of the brown son of Pat Maloy
and imp. Sunny South.
After this meeting I sold Ozark to an Omaha man for
$4,500. Such a horse to-day would bring $25,000. His new
owner took him to Charleston, S. C, where he was beaten
once. At Savannah he met the same horse under similar
conditions and won handily. He broke down at Nashville
and never ran a race afterward.
I sold Gen. Harney to William Lakeland at New Or-
leans for $2,500, and this virtually broke up my string, as I
had but Athlene and Lilly Belle left.
6o
At the beginning of the following season I organized a
stable of my own and made a campaign through Montana. I
had John Baker and Premium, and both of them were of the
highest class. John Baker could run a mile in 1:40 or better,
and was a grand plater, while Premium had phenomenal
speed. Realizing that the people of the far West would not
take kindly to me if they came to understand that my sole
object in going there was for the purpose of making money
and carrying it away from the State, I thought I would be
more successful if I made them believe I intended to locate
there. I inspected several ranches and pretended that I was
anxious to buy. There was hardly a man in the State that
did not make me some kind of an offer, for they all seemed
anxious to get away themselves.
They began to smell a mouse when, after the races began,
I annexed nearly every purse and stake with the good horses
I had brought out there for the purpose. I did not lose a race
in which I had a starter. But they finally caught on and began
to make life miserable for me. One of the worst frauds they
attempted to practice upon me was by the withdrawal of a
horse in one of the stake events, thus lessening the amount
at least $1,000. Of course, my Kentucky blood would not
permit me to stand for this, and I entered a vigorous pro-
test, asking to be permitted to read the rules, which, by the
way, I had helped draft. This was refused, and I mounted
a picket fence near the stand. The vast crowd that filled the
grand stand gathered about me, all eager to hear what I had
to say. It was composed of the beauty and chivalry of the
great Copper State.
" Ladies and gentlemen," I said, " these rules cover the
case entirely. If I am at fault I am willing to retire as grace-
fully as possible under the circumstances, but if I am right I
ask you to uphold me."
The air rang again and again with the plaudits of the
crowd.
"Let a committee of two," I cried again, "go to the
stable, bring out this alleged sick horse, and see if he is not in
fine shape."
" Give him a show," yelled the people.
" I come of a race of people," said I, as soon as silence
was once more restored, " that always respects the rights of
6i
others and will not permit themselves to be trampled upon.
I must have what justly belongs to me here."
The West loves a man who insists upon fairness and is
not afraid to demand it on all occasions and under all cir-
cumstances. In consequence there was such a tumult that
had not that horse been brought out and made to run in that
race there might have been a lynching.
The flag fell to a good start, but I had the best horse, and
the result was never in doubt. None of them ever came
near him and John Baker, whose name I had changed to
Howell. He was not a ringer, for I plainly told every one
of the change. I got the stake, in spite of hints thrown
about that a vigilance committee was liable to wait upon me
that night.
The next day Premium repeated the dose and got the
money. I had good bets down on her at fair odds, for
they could not believe that I had all the best horses in the
State. Miss Ella had shown wonderful speed in a race at
Lexington before she was taken out there, and she seemed
to have a chance. But I knew my mare and I never faltered
in the belief that she had the race at her mercy. There was
no trouble in collecting the money.
At the ending of this meeting I sold my horses to A.
Samples, who was feeding Gen. Miles' soldiers over in the
Yellowstone Valley, and traveled overland back to Ogden,
a distance of about a thousand miles, having $12,000 win-
nings on my person, representing less than three months'
earnings.
Back in old Missouri once more, I had about made up
my mind to retire from the turf Jor good. But the love for
horse racing was not so easily extinguished, and when
Clifton Bell asked me to train a string of good ones for him
I consented. He told me just to set my own price on my
services.
The horses were at that time at Denver, and while I
was waiting for them to arrive I was induced to take charge
of John Davis, a horse named after me, and owned by Capt.
John Shaw and Charles Hunt. The horse was of high
class and had quite a little history, for his ownership was
once decided by a game of seven up. One half of him was
owned by Capt. Shaw and the other by Sam Ecker. Shaw
bred and reared the animal, but he gave Ecker a half interest
62
for training- him. Then they agreed to play a game of
seven up to see who would own all. William Mulkey, a
breeder and turfman, of Kansas City at the present time, was
selected to play for Ecker, who did not understand the game
perfectly, while Capt. Shaw manipulated the cards for him-
self. It was for seven points and they were six and six.
Mulkey was dealing and turned a jack, which gave the
horse to Ecker.
I had told Capt. Shaw the horse was a great plater, and
I persuaded him in company with Charley Hunt to buy the
animal back. There was one drawback. He was a bolter,
and nothing could be done with him, for he would not run
straight at any time, So, while I was waiting for the horses
to come here from Denver, I so tamed and trained him that
he became one of the most useful horses on the turf, winning
his owers many thousands of dollars. The great Checkmate
barely beat him for the cup that season.
In due time Mr. Bell's horses arrived and I took charge
of them. He had in his string Dave Yandell, CHS Bell,
John McGinty and three others, all in bad shape. I put
them in condition and went to Chicago with them, where I
persuaded Mr. Bell to buy Harry Gilmore, by Buckden, out
of Lady Grigsby, a full brother to Buchanan, who won the
Kentucky Derby and at the same time twice as good a
horse.
The horse was looking badly at the time, but I pro-
ceeded to fix him up. At Saratoga he began to improve
rapidly, and I saw he was a great race horse. Up to this
time he had never been able to win at anything greater than
a mile and was looked upon by every one as a sprinter.
I soon reahzed that he had something more in him than
had yet appeared. Just at daylight every morning I took
him out and gave him a gallop, which put strength and
endurance into his system. He was entered in the great
Omnibus Stakes at Long Branch, although no one thought
he had the remotest chance of winning; but 1 differed from
them and began preparing him for the event. Every day
at daybreak I had him out and gave him his work. He
showed that he had all sorts of speed as well as endur-
ance, and I knew that I had almost made a new horse of him.
Just' before leaving for Long Branch one morning I sent
him a mile and a half in 2:34^ with 112 pounds up.
CHAPTER VIIL
Hairy Gilmore^s Victory,
Up at Long Branch active preparations were going on
for the great race. The favorite w^as Wyoming, by Pat
Maloy, a horse owned by George Lorillard, but Tom Plun-
ket and a horse owned by D. D. Withers were all thought
more favorably of than my horse. In fact, it was generally
conceded that Wyoming was the best three-year-old of the
season and the best animal Mr. Lorillard had ever owned.
I had so concealed the running qualities of my horse
that no one knew what he could do. Trainers were betting
suits of clothes that I would not even start, and that I was
simply taking him to the track to get a badge for the meet-
ing.
Mr. Bell did not even know I was going to take his
horse to Long Branch and he was suprised when I tele-
graphed him that I was going to start Harry Gilmore in the
great stake. I further told him I believed I could win and
advised him to get down all the money he could on his
horse. He took my advice, and it was not long until people
began to wonder what I meant by starting such a horse and
what Mr. Bell meant by betting his money. This did not,
however, lessen the odds on the horse's chances.
Billy Donahue was on Gilmore, and the horse walked
out in front of the stand looking as fresh as a daisy. My
instructions to the rider were for him to keep out of the
new-made ground on the track and never be out of the race
at any time. I said I would stand at the half-mile pole until
after he passed me, and to keep forcing the running as long
as my hat was in the air. He had the best horse under him,
I said, and there was nothing in it that could touch him if he
followed my instructions.
Donohue did just as I told him, and when he passed me,
forty yards in the lead, I yelled to him to sit steady and
keep going, as he had the race as good as won. The other
horses were never able to get within speaking distance of the
64
fleet-tooted Gilmore, and he galloped in under a pull, win-
ning the first Omnibus Stakes ever run.
It was the greatest surprise of the time, as everybody
figured that he did not have one chance in a thousand of
winning. I wagered all the money I could raise on the race
and won everything I went after in the financial line that
day.
This race set people to thinking, and after that no man
ever accused me of having a badge horse in a race. It was
generally considered, always, that when I started in a race
I felt sure I had a chance of winning. I might buy the
poorest skate, and put him in a race with a lot of first-class
platers, but my horse never lacked support. In fact, I
made it a point never to start a horse as a favorite, and I
never did so. I always endeavored to get as much money
for the owner as I could, and to do this I sometimes had to
train by candle light; but no one ever knew what one of my
horses was going to do. It was but fair to the owner to get
him the best odds possible.
When I returned to the West I met Mr. Bell, who, by
the way, had never seen me since I took charge of his string.
When I turned over $20,000 in winnings to him he could
hardly believe what I said. At first he said I could not have
paid my expenses out of the money, but I assured him that
such was the case.
Harry Gilmore afterward ran in the Stallion Stakes at
Louisville against my advice, and was defeated by two
horses, for the reason that he never could run in the mud.
Clay Pate, a sure enough mud horse, captured the race, but
he could never have landed first past the post had the going
been fast and to the liking of Gilmore. At the same time
we had in our stable Dave Yandell, a horse that liked the
mud, and could easily have won. In fact, I tried my best to
induce Mr. Bell to start Yandell ; but James Guest, a half
owner of Gilmore, wanted to start his horse, and I had to
submit. Thus we lost a stake that should have fallen to us.
We moved to Chicago from Louisville, and I won the
two-mile- and the three-mile-heat races with Dave Yandell,
beating some of the best horses there. Harry Gilmore got
the mile-heat race handily. After this I returned to St.
Louis and spent the winter. The next season I started out
65
with the same stable, and going to Chicago I won the Board
of Trade Handicap with Harry Gilmore. Three days later I
won the great cup race, beating John Davis, Lida Stanhope,
Farragut and a half dozen other flyers, over a course two
and a quarter miles. This is the only one of Buckden's get
that ever went a cup distance.
At the close of this meeting I turned Mr. Bell's horses
over to their owner, and they were taken back to Denver. For
a few months I rested at my farm, and then I went to Chicago
and bought Big Three and another four-year-old called
Fayette, by Australian Chief. With them I earned more
than $30,000 for the Ruddy Brothers that season.
Col. Robert A. Johnson and John Churchill then en-
gaged me to train their horses. In the string were Powhat-
tan, Loftin, Adrian and Miss Bowler, all of which were
famous in their day. The horses were in wofuUy bad
shape. They were vicious to an extreme and had been
beaten everywhere they had been raced. Every trainer
that had had hold of them said there was nothing in them ;
but I thought there was and 1 went to work on them. I
knew there was no use in trying to race them at once, but I
paid all the declarations and forfeits. Leaving Chicago for
Saratoga, I prepared for active business. In a race between
Pearl Jennings and Powhattan, a dash of a mile, the latter
was victorious in 1:41^. Up to this time Powhattan had
never gone a mile in less than 1:43 over the fast Western
tracks, and this performance was remarkable. As in all my
previous races, I sent him to the post a rank outsider. Col.
Johnson had little hope that I would succeed in making race
horses out of any of the string, but he had confidence in my
ability and knew that if such a thing were possible I would
do so.
The horse had pleased me so well in his trials that I
telegraphed the owners to put a good bet down, and they
did so, winning heavily. There was very little outside bet-
ting on Powhattan, and the odds were as good as 6 to i
against his chances.
Four days later he won another race at a mile and five-
eighths, winning easily.
In the meantime preparations were going on for the
great cup race that was to come off ten days later. In it
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were Powhattan, Bob Miles, Boatsman, Modesty, Jim Doug
las and several others, but these were the best. The event-
ful day arrived and Powhattan was not thought well of. The
odds were as big as lo to i against him. Modesty and
Boatsman were the favorites, but the others had some fol-
lowing.
Well, the flag fell to a good start, and Boatsman started
off in front, with Modesty second, Jim Douglas third. Bob
Miles fourth, Powhattan fifth and the others strung out. At
the end of a mile and a quarter Bob Miles went through the
bunch. Powhattan followed closely behind. These posi-
tions were maintained until the end of the chute was reached.
All the time Powhattan was creeping slowly forward. Fitz-
patrick, on Miles, saw the danger and plied whip and spur.
Hay ward, on Powhattan, however, was not to be shaken off,
and at length he was on even terms with the flying leader.
On down the stretch they thundered, neither seeming to be
gaining an inch, and when they passed under the wire they
were so close together that it was fully twenty minutes be-
fore the judges were able to decide which had won. Finally,
they gave it to Bob Miles, and thus ended one of the great-
est races ever run. The others were hardly to be considered
in it, for they were so far away at the finish that the crowd
had almost forgotten them when they came under the wire.
I had placed the horses in just this position previous to
the race, and I urged my friends to get down on it. They
did so. Col. Bob Pate, one of the best-known turfmen of
the country, owned Boatsman, and he wagered heavily on
the result. 1 met him just before the race. I persuaded him
to back my horse for the place and Miles to win. He did
so, and it saved him from serious loss.
Back to St. Louis I came and annexed the four great
stakes, winning two with Powhattan and Loftin, meeting
Buchanan, the Kentucky Derby winner, and Troubadour,who
has since become famous as the property of that representa-
tive turfman. Col. S. S. Brown, of Pittsburg, During my
trip abroad I had been quietly working Loftin along, but
had never raced him, for his ankles were sore and he was in
a precarious condition.
But by the time he arrived in St. Louis he was fit to
run for a man's life, as the saying is. I had him entered in
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all the big- stakes, and when he met Buchanan, who had
beaten him at Louisville, he quickly took the measure of his
one-time conqueror. Even Troubadour had beaten poor old
Loftin when he was too sick to run and give an account of
himself, and this made the victory a doubly interesting one.
It illustrates very clearly the point I have always made, that
a trainer must understand his horses before he can make
them do their best. Then a horse should always be fit before
he is started. Otherwise you injure the horse and perhaps
destroy his chances forever.
Over at Churchill Downs, in Louisville, I found stable
room, and in a race of a mile and three-eighths, in which I
ran Powhattan, he was beaten a head on the post because
the boy could not get him out of a pocket. I warned him
against it, but cunning little Stoval and another boy pulled
together, wedge-like, and shut him off. They held him for
a mile. If he could have got out at any time during this
period he would have won.
In a two-mile-heat race later Powhattan was a winner,
and Col. Sam Bryant, who once owned the famous Proctor
Knott and won thousands of dollars with him, remarked
that my work on the horse was something so remarkable
that it was beyond his comprehension. He had left Louis-
ville in the spring a cripple, sick, broken down and abso-
lutely of no account, and now he had returned one of the
best horses of the year.
That fall 1 fired Loftin and brought him back to St.
Louis. During the ensuing spring Col. Johnson died at
Knoxville, and thus passed away one of the truest and best
friends any man ever had. He was often called the " Mag-
net of the American Turf," so attractive was his personality,
and no man so well deserved the title. Everybody liked him
and he liked everybody.
This untimely and sorrowful incident necessitated the
settling up of his estate, and I repaired to Lexington with
the horses that had made his name famous all over the
country and that had won him so many thousands of dollars.
Even now, as I write it, tears come to the eyes of the man
who loved him as devotedly as a brother.
The horses were sold at public sale and the string drifted
apart. This ended the association of two men who had been
68
friends for fifty years, and there was never a parting in which
there was greater reluctance.
When the hand of death's angel is laid upon me,
And my course upon earth has fully been Tun,
May I find there in waiting, beyond the dark sea,
The face of my old friend as bright as a sun.
CHAPTER IX.
My Recollections.
Another horse I took, when she was considered to be
totally unfit for racing, was Nannie B., by Glenco, out of
Mary Churchill, by Alex. Churchill. The mare belonged to
Warren Viley, and previously he had given John Harper a
half interest in her for training the animal. After working
with her for months Mr. Harper came to the conclusion that
she was utterly worthless, and he so informed Mr. Viley.
The latter had no confidence in her ability himself, but he
gave Mr. Harper $ioo for his half interest in her.
Mr. Viley thought after awhile that there might after
all be something in the mare, and he persuaded me to take
her on shares. I was to stand all the expense of training and
was to conduct the campaign with her. I found her condi-
tion had not been misrepresented. She was even worse off
than had been claimed.
She was a mare that required very little or no training,
and I found, after a careful investigation, that Mr. Harper
had trained her too much. She could not stand the hard
work. He was unable to make her eat what she needed to
sustain her. Th'i heart was taken out of her by the constant
strain, and, as a result, when she was placed in a race, she
made no showing.
A trainer should study the horse upon which he is work-
ing, in order to make him do what he is really capable of
doing. Where one horse requires constant hard work,
another will need next to nothing, the rest being all the
preparation that is necessary. There are hundreds of train-
ers to-day who are simply working the racing properties out
of their horses and rendering them useless for the future. It
is true, they may succeed in winning some few races by this
system, but in the end the fallacy of the treatment will be
proven.
It was but a short time until I became convinced that
such was the case with Nannie B. I gave her a rest, and she
brightened up and began to take on flesh and strength. In
70
a month she did not look anything like the poor, worn-out
animal she was when I got her. There was an elasticity in
her step that had not been perceptible before. Short gal-
lops and a healthful appetite brought back her vigor and
put her in shape.
When I thought her about fit, I put her in a mile race
with several good ones and she was first past the post. The
same week I put her in another race, the Green Stake, at
mile heats, where she met a horse that John Harper had
trained and beat him easily. She met Volga, a full sister to
the great Vandal ; Charley Woods, an own brother to Maria
Woods and Anna Travis, and was defeated by Volga in four
heats of two miles each. She finished second, being beaten
by a head, and should have won. The jockey laid too far
back and had too much of a gap to make up at the finish.
Had he followed my instructions we would have landed the
race, as I won the first heat, ran a dead heat the next one,
and ought to have had the other. As it was, Volga got the
last two heats.
On the day following I sold her to a man named Lewis,
of Alabama. In the South she won many races afterward
and brought her new owner considerably more than the
13,500 he paid for her.
Afterward I trained a little horse called Iceburg, by
Zero, belonging to James Wood, on shares. At Crab Or-
chard I ran him for five days in succession and won every
race in which he was entered. I afterward won a couple of
races with him at Lexington and lost to Red Oak by a head
at two miles. He gave Red Oak the hardest race he ever
had in Kentucky. It was the only time I ever saw Red Oak
extended. I sold Iceburg that week to a Northwestern lum-
berman, who ran him successfully for a couple of years in
Wisconsin and Iowa.
Then I made a campaign into Virginia with Adle Giser
and Sam Letcher, but previously I had been into Canada
with them and won many good stakes. At the Broad Rock
track, near Richmond, I made a match for $5,000 a side with
David McDaniels, the owner of Carolina, a mare that, up to
that time, had never been beaten and had a series of victories
to her credit. The Virginians had begun to think the mare
was invincible. The distance agreed upon was two-mile-
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heats, and Sam Letcher represented my stable. Carolina
won the first heat by about a length. In the second heat I
instructed my jockey to take the lead and force the running-
all the way, as I felt I had the best horse and that Letcher
could win. Besides, I had a desire to bet a little money on
the race.
Thomas Eans, a sporting- man from Nashville, bet me
$ioo to a cravat that Carolina would defeat Sam Letcher. I
took the bet and went on cooling out my horse.
They went to the post for the second heat, and, accord-
ing to instructions, my boy g-ot off in front and pushed
the horse for all he would stand. The boy on Carolina
trailed along, thinking he had something in reserve in the
mare, but when he called upon her at the finish he found
that she had about exhausted herself, and she was five
lengths behind as my horse passed under the wire. Every-
body realized that the race was practically over.
In the third heat my horse went to the front and took
the lead all the way. He won easily, and once more Old
Kentucky had scored a triumph. Thousands of dollars
changed hands on the result of the race, for the Kentuckians
had faith in me and my hors'e.
At Fairfield I made a match for Adle Giser with Mc-
Daniels against Carolina for $5,000 a side. My horse took
the lead at the start and won handily. Then we made
another match for the same amount between the same horses,
for McDaniels was not yet satisfied. It resulted as before.
Still McDaniels thought he had the better animal and we
matched them for $2,500 a side, but the game little mare
had met her mistress in Adle Giser, and it was clearly estab-
lished that both my horses were her superiors. McDaniels
afterward became discouraged and forfeited the money in
the last match.
At that time McDaniels could have won, for my horse
was badly chafed and in bad shape. But I pretended that
Adle Giser was all right and had her on the track at the
time the drum call was made. McDaniels had informed the
judges that if I came out with my horse he would forfeit his
money; and when they saw me ready, or apparently so, they
declared the race off. I won this race through a bluS, for
the chances are that I would have lost.
72
McDaniels, and Belcher, his trainer, who, by the way,
trained the great Boston, followed me to Baltimore and
purchased both my horses, so impressed were they with
their worth. A peculiar fact connected with this purchase
was that these men raced these horses for two years and
never won a race with them. I do not know why it was,
unless it was because they did not understand their tempera-
ments and how they should be prepared for bruising con-
tests.
Afterward I took a half dozen colts for Joseph Boswell,
among which were Gabriel and Charley Wheatley, at Lex-
ington, and developed them. I did not race these horses,
for I transferred my talents to the string of Judge John
Hunter, of Mobile, Ala. He had in his string Lorette,
Mary Ogden and Red Eagle, all good horses. We won
several races in the State, and then went to Columbus, Ga.,
where I won a stake with Lorette at mile heats, beating Bill
Cheatham, a Tennessee colt of some renown. I also got
a mile race with Mary Ogden.
Lorette lost to Sox at Savannah, Ga., but he was a
great horse, and there was little disgrace in losing to him.
In a dash of two miles Mary Ogden was a winner here.
Probably the most remarkable campaign in my career
was with Frank Allen and Moidore. They belonged to
Pryor Brothers and Berry Brothers, of Columbus, Ga.,
The campaign opened at Columbia, S. C, and all the great
horses of the North and South were assembled there.
My first race was a stake event, in which Frank Allen
represented my stable. Charley Ball, who had a year be-
fore beaten Frank Allen in a $5,000 match; Laura Spillman,
Mary Blueskin, Floride and Griff Edmondson were the
starters. It was a two-mile-heat race. Charley Ball annexed
the first heat without trouble. The next two heats fell to
Frank Allen, who in the third heat made the best time that
has ever been run over the track.
The next day I won a three-mile-heat purse with Moi-
doire from John Aiken and several others. It was probably
the best race Moidoire ever ran. Then I won a four-mile-
heat stake race with Frank Allen in two straight heats,
beating Cordelia Reed, Laura Spillman and a couple of
others.
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At Savannah I won a three-mile-heat race with Moidore'
beating Tar River, a noted horse of the time, and several
others. At two and four miles Frank Allen again won.
The feature of this campaign, which ended at this time,
was the fact that my horses always beat horses that had pre-
viously in other campaigns beaten them. We probably won
about $30,000 in purses alone, but the owners were big bettors,
and when 1 told them my horses were fit they never failed to
get down with all they could get placed. The result was,
they must have "cleaned up," as the saying is, about $100,-
000. There was hardly ever a time we lost, and even then I
saw that they had their money safely " placed." Thus they
never lost. The campaign was remarkable because of the
winnings and the running of the horses that were thought
to be of inferior class.
Glendower and Laclede were placed in my hands by
B. F. Hutchinson in Missouri, and I raced them through a
vigorous campaign. Glendower was one of the fastest horses
I ever handled.
There were hundreds of other horses that I trained and
raced, but many of them attained no especial fame, although
they frequently won races. In any event, the owners never
suffered financially through my training, and they knew that
when I pronounced a horse unworthy of training that there
was no hope in him.
CHAPTER X.
Home of the Racer*
Kentucky may to-day be virtually termed the home ot
the thoroughbred, for it has certainly produced more great
race horses than any other section of the world. The Blue-
grass country is the richest in the " dark and bloody
ground," and its emerald-hued fields abound with grand
farms and magnificent training quarters.
Probably the first race horse ever brought to this State
was taken there by Leonard Israel Fleming, who laboriously
worked his way over the mountains from Virginia, and after
many privations arrived at his father's estate in Kentucky.
It was a vast tract that had been ceded him by the govern-
ment and was uncultivated, but it was in the fertile country
near where Midway now stands. It is claimed also that he
established the first race track in the State on the Forks of
Elkhorn, but this point is in dispute. However, everything
goes to show that the first track was built in that vicinity.
Mr. Fleming was the grandfather of Mr. Andrew M. Sulli-
van, a leading attorney of St. Louis, and also of the late
Judge W. B. Fleming, of Louisville, Ky. The Rev. Thomas
Lewis, an old negro preacher, of St. Louis, Mo., claims to
have been Mr. Fleming's jockey, and says that when he
became too heavy to ride he was taken out of the saddle
and placed in the pulpit by his owner.
A mention of the States that have produced the great
thoroughbreds of the country will be of interest to the
reader. Of course, Kentucky stands at the top, as has been
stated, for she has the location and everything that pertains
to the making of splendid horses.
Probably the greatest sire Kentucky ever produced, and
of whom the loyal natives of the State will always point to
with pride, was Lexington — a name that is a household word
in the State famous for its pretty women, fast horses and
good whisky, Lexington was a wonderful horse, of his age,
as a performer at all distances ; but he gained his greatest
75
fame in the stud, and his sons and daughters have perpetu-
ated it. He was bred by Dr. Warfield.
Medoc probably comes next on the list. Fleet of foot,
he won many great races and earned for his owners thou-
sands of dollars on the track. He was bred in New Jersey
by John and Robert Stephens, purchased by John Buford
and brought to Kentucky, where his fame did not languish.
Here he did yeoman service in the stud, and any owner of
to-day is happy to be able to show the Medoc strain in his
horses' breeding. His mares, like those of Lexington,
earned glory on the turf and in the stud.
Glencoe was imported from England by Mr. Jackson, of
Tennessee, and Frank Harper, who was known as "Glencoe
Frank," to distinguish him from his cousin of the same name,
purchased him and took him to Kentucky. There was but
one horse in the world of his day that could beat him, and
that was Plenipotentiary, who took his measure in Old Eng-
land, before he came to this country. He ran no races in
this country, but was remarkably successful in the stud. His
mares proved a splendid cross for any and all of the stallions
of his time, and his name will live as long as there is an
American turf.
Leamington was imported from England, and for a short
time remained on Staten Island, N. Y., then went to the
farm of Abe Buford, where he was at once put in the
stud. He got some of the greatest race horses of the world.
Out of eleven mares he produced nine horses that distin-
guished themselves as performers. When he was taken back
to Philadelphia he produced Parole, a horse good enough to
go to England and defeat every other animal with which he
came in contact.
Hanover was bred by Clay & Woodford, near Lexington,
and until his death he was a great sire. His get are winning
many of the races of to-day, and nearly every one of his sons
and daughters are considered almost invincible. Some of
the great horses that are now traveling about through Eng-
land and America are his immediate descendants. His fillies
are not old enough to be breeding ; but they will be heard
from in the near future, and such shrewd owners and train-
ers as John E. Madden are securing all of this stock they are
able to obtain.
76
Longfellow was bred by John Harper, in Woodford
County, and distinguished himself as a great performer.
Then he was placed in the stud, and his descendants are the
noted horses of the country. A horse that traces his lineage
to Longfellow is certainly bred in the purple and has a claim
to equine royalty.
Richard Ten Broeck imported Phaeton, who produced
many great horses. He sired the mighty Ten Broeck.
Ten Broeck was bred by John Harper and held the
record from one to four miles for many years. Ten Broeck
was placed in the stud and got many horses of mediocre
caliber, but he probably would have done better had he been
bred to the proper kind of mares.
Himyar was bred by Major B. G. Thomas at Lexington
and was one of the fastest horses of his day. He was badly
managed in many respects, but, at the same time, he was
certainly a great horse. The wonderful animal was by
Alarm, out of Hira, by Lexington, and Hira was out of
Hijira, by Ambassenger. He came from a singularly dis-
tinguished family. Himyar sired Domino, Highfiight, Hataf
and others, all of whom became known to fame.
Virginia probably comes next on the list. It was there
that Boston, Florisel, Sir Archy, Henry, Red Eye and others
had their origin, and most of them became good sires. Sir
Archy was probably the best of the lot as a producer, and
his get are to be seen in the leading strains to-day. " Inspec-
tor, by Boston," Nat Pope, Planet, Financier and Revenue
might also be mentioned with Fanny and Sue Washington.
New Jersey has a claim to distinction, for it was the
home of Duroc, the sire of American Eclipse, Medoc and
several other great sires whose progeny have climbed to the
pinnacle of turf fame. All of them produced winners, and
their get are perpetuating their fame. New Jersey will
never sink into obscurity as a breeding place of the country.
Maryland comes into notice because of her many impor-
tations of great stallions, and the sturdy stock produced
from them is a monument to her fame in that respect. This
State had in its early days a class of breeders who did not
hesitate a moment when it came to expense in getting the
very best there was on the market at the time. Among her
eminent sires was Maryland Eclipse, whose produce were
77
among the winners of the long ago, and whose greatness has
not yet been forgotten. The strain is traced by some of the
noted horses of to-day. Catesby and St. George were also
sires of the olden time.
While New York is now the greatest racing center of
the United States, she also has a claim as a breeding place,
for there have been many good sires in the Empire State.
The greater part of them were importations, and, while they
did not leave such a vastly distinguished progeny, they were
breadwinners in every respect. Sensation was a great stal-
lion, owned by George Lorillard, and was never beaten in a
race. He had remarkable powers of speed and endurance,
and was by Leamington, out of Susan Bean.
Down in old Tennessee, with its mountains and dells,
fine farms and pleasant people, there were many great stal-
lions. Imp. Albion, Stockholder, Leviathan, Jack Malone,
imp. Great Tom, Inspector B., Iroquois, Vandal, imp. St.
Blaze and a half dozen others all distinguished themselves
in the stud on the beautiful stock farms there. Every day
one hears of their get. Gen. W. H. Jackson owns the
beautiful Belle Meade, and some of the grandest colts and
fillies in the world have romped on the pastures there. As
a breeder Gen. Jackson stands at the head of the list in Ten-
nessee and is noted for his strict integrity and fairness in
dealing with men.
Alabama gets her fame through imp. Buckden, one of
the best stallions of his day. He was owned by Capt. Wil-
liam Cottrell, of Mobile. Brown Dick was bred in Alabama,
but was owned and stood in Tennessee.
Some of the highest bred and best producing stock came
from South Carolina, where imp. Sovereign, owned by Wade
Hampton ; imp. Rowton, and a host of others added to the
luster of the American turf through their progeny.
Bonnie Scotland stood first in Ohio and was imported
by Reber & Kounce. Monarch, Bronx, Clay Trustee and a
few others stood in the Buckeye State, but Bonnie Scotland
was the greatest stallion that ever did service there.
The boast of Illinois is that she had West Roxbury, sire
of Force, Renown, Rocket and Startle ; Zero, the son of
Boston and Zenobia ; imp. Billet, Hyder Ali, Uncle Vic and
a few others who left a vast progeny.
78
Missouri had Tom Moore, Voucher, Glendower, Virgin-
ius, Frogtown, Harry O'Fallon and others of less note. Imp.
Sain, imp. Foul Shot, imp. Donald A., imp. Siddartha, imp.
Joe Norwood, Ten Stone and Freeman are making the his-
tory of the State to-day. Barney Schreiber, Dr. A. A. Mc-
Alester and Joseph D. Lucas are the principal breeders of
the State, and the animals bred attheir places are fast earning
laurels for themselves and their owners. The breeding in-
terests of Missouri are developing all the time, and she will
soon be able to share honors with many of the mighty ones.
California, last but not least by any means, is doing a
great deal for the thoroughbred interests of this day. Among
the most noted and foremost of the breeders of race horses
in this State may be mentioned Messrs. G. B. Haggin, J. B.
Baldwin, Waterhouse, Fred Gebhardt, and in former years
Theodore Winters, who became distinguished by being the
owner of Norfolk, Joe Hooker, Marion, Yotambian, The Zar
and others that were noted.
These are the principal States that are breeding
thoroughbreds to-day, but there are many stallions of less
note in a number of the sections that have not been men-
tioned.
In the year of 1849 O'' 1850 Mr. Charles Weir, of Powhat-
tan County, Virginia, imported from England into America
the horse Skylark, who for his great weight-carrying ca-
pacity, his general hardihood and high ability to race, es-
pecially at long distances, stood almost without a peer in
any country of his day. Skylark won 24 King's Plates,
which was a greater number than any other horse ever won
up to his day. Skylark won 42 three- and-four-mile heat
races. He was on two occasions entered to run two races
in one day, which he did, and winning both races each time
with consummate ease. He met and defeated Lady Elizabeth,
who had distinguished herself by carrying 135 lbs., and ran
four miles in 7:45. He also met and defeated the famous
Economist twice, the sire of the immortal Harkaway, carry-
ing at the time 168 lbs., four miles. He was always assigned
the top weights in the handicaps and on one occasion was
asked to carry in the Corinthian the extraordinary weight
of 210 lbs. The change made in running the Corinthian
was attributed to this horse's unparalleled performances
79
over a distance of ground with such heavy weights. At
eight years old his owners issued a challenge to run any
horse in the world, four miles, with top weight, for any
amount, the parties who might accept to name the amount
of the stakes to be run for; but as no one accepted the chal-
lege, he was withdrawn from the turf, without even an oslet
or splint, and as sound as an American dollar.
CHAPTER XL
Why They Won.
It is sometimes very little things that cause horses to win
or lose races. For instance, take the case of Belle of the
Highlands, who lost to Checkmate at Saratoga in the cup
race. John Huggins was training Belle of the Highlands at
the time, and he was confident that his mare could win. He
instructed his jockey, a little negro called Coley, to trail
along closely until he came to a certain point where he would
find a handkerchief tied to a fence, letting Checkmate make
the running. As soon as he saw the handkerchief he was to
urge his horse forward and come on and win.
The distance was two and a quarter miles, and the boy
followed instructions, always keeping not far away. But
some one on the outside, it is claimed, removed the handker-
chief, having learned of the arrangement and desiring Belle
of the Highlands to lose, and when the negro lad rode down
the stretch he kept looking for the sign to begin making his
run. The longer he waited the worse his chances were. At
length he saw there was no handkerchief, but it was then too
late for him to win. He did his best and lost.
Then there is the remarkable case where Kriss Kringle
won a race at Latonia. He was old and stiff, a sulker, and it
was a difficult matter to make him do his best. But on the
day in question the boys in the stable were determined to
make him win if it was possible. They put down their scant
earnings on his chances and assembled at different parts of
the track to watch the race. Kriss Kringle was sent to the
post in fairly good shape, but he got off badly and ran in his
usual slow manner around to the three-quarter pole. There
a stable boy ran out, beating a tin pan to scare him into doing
something. At this juncture an L. & N. train passed and
the engineer gave the whistle a toot that was loud enough to
have at least caused Rip Van Winkle to turn over while in
his deepest slumber. Old Kriss Kringle gave a snort, tossed
his head and let out a kink in his going. He shot by the
others at lightning-like speed, and if ever he was anything
like a stake horse it was on this occasion, for he passed under
the wire an easy winner, and the lads who had wagered
their money on him collected at odds of lo to i.
Even in the great race between Gray Eagle and Wag-
ner it was a trifling incident that brought about the victory
of Wagner. Wagner would not do his best unless frightened
into doing it, and the attaches of the stable were sent out at
the turn at the head of the stretch. When it became neces-
sary to close up the gap between Wagner and Gray Eagle at
this point the stable boys began yelling in such a manner,
that Wagner shook himself up and did what he was capable
of doing. He shot to the front and kept the lead until he
had won the race.
An amusing little story is told of Sound Money, a horse
owned by Alf Oldham, of Louisville, when he won a race at
20 to I at Latonia. I do not vouch for the truthfulness of the
story, but it was told me by a gentleman who claims to have
heard of it at the time. Oldham had in his employ a little
negro exercise boy, who had by dint of the most rigid econo-
my accumulated $2 in actual cash, and this lad thought that
Sound Money was the greatest race horse that ever set foot
on a track.
In reality Sound Money was windbroken and about on
his last legs. He was once a very fair skate, but his useful-
ness had been impaired by enlarged glands. Could this
defect have been remedied he would have been a first-class
plater and might have made his owner rich.
Mr. Oldham sent the horse to Latonia and thought he
might be good enough to win a race. One day he thought
he had him fit, but he was mistaken, and he and his friends
dropped their coin on him at short odds, for the tip had
gone out that he was sure to win. The little black boy,
however, held off, and he did not bet his hoard until the
next time the horse started. Then he put it all down on
Sound Money at 20 to i. Mr. Oldham thought so little of
his horse's chances that he bet on another horse in the race.
The horse got off fairly well and jogged along not far
behind the favorite and second choice. He seemed about
done for when he reached the head of the stretch, but he
was not aware that he had two riders. One was on his back,
Silvers, and the other was on the fence at this point. The
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negro had a small pea-shooter in one hand and a dozen
beans in the other. As soon as the time came for Sound
Money to make his run, if he was ever going to do it, the
lad began firing the beans at him from the little gun. Every
one struck him in the right spot, and the way he got a hustle
on himself and stepped to the front was a caution. In a few
jumps he was in the lead, and going at such a rate of speed
that nothing could overtake him. He won the race handily
from the heavily-backed favorite.
" Now, who would have ever thought the old horse was
good enough to win that race ? " said Mr. Oldham disgustedly,
as he stood at the stable watching a groom bring in Sound
Money.
" I did, boss," said the negro. " I had my pile on him,
and I made him win."
" How did you do it ? '' was asked.
" Jes' shot him wif beans as he comes inter de stretch,"
said the boy. " Ise got 'bout fohty-two dollahs, I specs.''
Al Spink, a sporting writer of the West, tells a good story
of how he once saved his life and that of his jockey by a
clever trick. He was in St. Louis with a string of outlawed
horses at the closing of the old Southside electric light track,
and not a cent in his pockets. By some means he succeeded
in persuading the railroad agent to ship his horses to Cairo
and give him a free pass to the same place. A fair was going
on in the little Illinois city, and it was Al's intention to make
a book and run his horses there. When he reached the city
he secured boarding quarters for himself and his jockey and
obtained credit for feed for his horses. Among the animals
he took with him was one known as Our Flossie. She was a
filly with chain lightning in her heels and as dainty a look-
ing little creature as one would wish to see.
On the day of the fair opening a lot of towboatmen had
just been discharged from their boats, there having been a
coal run in the Ohio, and they were about the city spending
the money they had earned by the hardest kind of work for
the past two months. They all went to the fair and were
all ready to bet their money. Al mounted the block and
chalked up his odds on the first race. He put 4 to i against
Our Flossie, and the steam boatmen and everybody else gob-
bled it up as fast as possible. There was a scattering play
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on the others, but it did not amount to much, and the penni-
less bookmaker realized that he was in a serious predica-
ment. He knew his horse could run all over the others in
the race, and he called his jockey to him.
" If you win this race," he said, " I will not be able to
pay off, and these fellows will lynch both of us. If they
catch you pulling, they will lynch you. Now, you must get
the worst of the start and do your best in a quiet way to
lose."
" But if I see he can't help but win," pleaded the jockey.
" Then fall off."
" I might get killed that way, too," said the rider.
" That don't make any difference," was the reply. " You
must lose."
Our Flossie got off absolutely last, and the boy was
doing his best to keep her in that position, but she suddenly
got it into her head to make a run for it, and she did so.
Away she went after the leaders at lightning speed and was
fast gaining on them. The boy was praying for the safety of
his master, for he thought there was absolutely no chance
for him to lose. He pulled her gently, but she only ran the
faster. At every leap she was nearer to the tiring leader,
but she did not quite overtake him and lost by a head.
" Boy," said one of the toughest of the steamboatmen,
"you made a good race, and if you had got off even you
would have won sure. Don't be discouraged. You'll win
some time."
When I was out in Montana I heard a good story of In-
dian sagacity. Bob Smith, of Tennessee, had been going
every year to Milk River, on the upper Missouri, in the Dako-
tas, and winning the furs of an Indian chieftain named Cof-
fee. The latter was a natural born turfman, and had he been
living in the civilized part of the world he would have had
a string of some kind at least. He was as game as a pebble,
and for several years he permitted Smith to come up and win
his furs at horse racing. Smith would bring a good horse
with him, race the Indian, win his furs, and then sell him the
horse. The next year he would return with a better horse,
race against the one he had sold the previous year, and again
win the money. Finally the Indian began to get tired of
this sort of procedure.
84
For a year he drilled his Indian starters and judges, and
then Smith arrived. They raced for an immense pile of furs
against a lot of guns, provisions and ammunition. At the
finish the Indian judges came forward and said Smith's
horse had won by about a head. Smith was ready to collect
the stakes when the Indians at the start came forward and
declared that Smith got off by about five feet the best. In
those days they measured up the start and finish, and the
best horse won.
"You red-skinned devil," said Smith, "you know you
have been training those scoundrels to do that for a year
past.''
But the bet stood all right and Coffee collected the stakes.
It was the last time Smith ever brought a horse to that
country.
CHAPTER XIL
How to Ride.
That the jockeys of the present are not as good as those
of the past is apparent even to the most unsophisticated
mind. In the olden times the boys were better judges of
pace, obeyed instructions more closely and tried harder to
win than they do now. Pulling and unfairness of any kind
was comparatively unknown.
Had a boy of the old regime pulled a horse or otherwise
contrived to make him lose, his master would have pulled
him off and given him the worst licking a lad ever had.
Now the owner has no recourse, and he may see his horse
lose through the deliberate machinations of the rider with-
out being able to say a word against it.
Many a time an owner would set a little negro rider on
the back of a horse he knew could win and tell him if he did
not bring the animal in first past the post he would kill him,
and he meant it, too. It was worth as much as a boy's life
to not do his level best.
The short distances of to-day have much to do with the
difference in the quality of the riding. But the boys of long
ago, when all racing was fair, seemed to be better judges of
pace, and they knew how to husband the strength of the
animals they bestrode. Now, in the short dashes, it is simply
a hustle and scramble to get off in front. Much of the igno-
rance on the part of the boys is brought about by trainers
who have never been riders themselves and do not know how
to instruct and teach a jockey. " Get away in front and
hustle home" is about all the average trainer says to the
boy, and the latter sometimes tries to do as he is told. If
the horse does not happen to be in the very best shape and
anxious to run himself, he cannot depend on the skill of the
rider to pull him through.
The trainer forgets that it is pace that kills. Lexing-
ton, if he had been pushed from the very first, would have
done a half in : 48, but he would have begun to tire and any
horse of his time could have plodded along and beat him.
86
The trainer, as well as the boy, should use judgment. The
pace must be graduated so as to fit the conditions of the
horse and rider. The fight to " come through the nearest
way " is what loses many a rider a race that he tries honestly
to win.
The jockey should be taught that every inch of an angle
he makes in coming home must tax the strength of the horse
and lessen his chances at the finish. That strength would
be left in him and proper judgment been used, and he would
have had it with which to finish at the wire.
In entering the head of the stretch the jockey should be
taught to avoid making an angle, and should take a bee line
for the wire. Every foot of ground at this point tells on
him, for this angle makes him run more than sixty feet more
than he should. When trailing behind two horses that are
running abreast the jockey should wait until the horses split
at the turn, which they are sure to do, and then come
through between them and save the turn.
If there is any fear in a boy's composition, he has no
business on a horse. Still, there are are lots of timid boys
who become good riders, after having overcome that fear
of a horse that they first entertained. Courage and confi-
dence are the prime requisites, and the whole effort of the
trainer must be to instill these two properties into the lad
who aspires to become a jockey.
A timid boy thrown from a vicious horse would stand a
much greater chance of being hurt than one who had all his
wits about him and was watching for a soft place in which
to fall.
When placed in the saddle by a trainer a boy should be
first taught how to hold the reins. Then he should be
informed of the method by which he may cling with his
knees to the sides of the horse.
In the event the horse is a plunger and one that is apt
to rear and endeavor to shake him off, the boy must be
taught to keep the head of the animal up. This is a very
essential point, for in case it is not remembered distinctly
the boy is liable at any time to let the horse get the mastery
and run away with him. This may result disastrously to
both the boy and the animal. Therefore, a trainer can not
be too careful in this respect.
87
If the horse stops suddenly while in a fit of viciousness,
the lad should loosen the reins and cling to the mane. In
case he held to the reins and pulled him, the animal might
be thrown off his balance and fall back on the boy. This
would happen in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, and
much trouble may be saved by a trainer apprising a boy of
this fact in time.
The next thing to teach a boy is to avoid obstacles on
the track. When he has mastered this feature he may be
permitted to trot and walk horses about the track. Of
course, the idea is that the boy has had some experience
and knows how to hold his seat, for no absolutely green
boys are ever taken.
In galloping, the boy should always keep a firm hold of
the reins in order to always have control of the animal.
Slow gallops should be kept up for more than a month, for
the reason that in the event the horse was sent along at a
good rate of speed the boy might lose his own confidence and
let the horse get the better of him. Then the boy would
lose all the knowledge you had spent so much time in teach-
ing him, and it might take months to restore it.
By this time the boy has learned in a measure how to
protect himself and has learned something of what he may
expect of a horse. He can gallop, avoid bad places in the
track, keep out of the way of other horses that are being
sent along for trials, and is not afraid of the horses.
Keep the boy on one horse all the time, for changing
off on animals of a different temperament can not result
efficaciously. His ideas then become fixed and he gets
accustomed to the race horse.
If he is a bright boy, at the expiration of two months he
may be changed to another horse. In no stable are there
two horses that have the same habits and dispositions.
Therefore, the boy must become acquainted with the differ-
ent varieties.
In due time he learns how to manage a horse tolerably
well, and the trainer is not afraid to put him on any horse in
the string. But he is far from being a jockey even then, for
he has not learned the more delicate points of the game.
When he is able to gallop a horse at the highest speed of
the animal, the trainer must begin to instill into his mind
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some idea of judging the pace at which he is going. This
is a most difficult matter, and there is not one boy out of a
hundred that ever learns it. However, there are some.
Isaac Murphy, the famous negro jockey, was one of the best
judges of pace on the American turf. He could tell to
almost the fraction of a second just how fast a horse under
him was going. That is one of the things that brought
him fame.
I, therefore, urge that when a trainer sends a boy out
for a fast quarter, half or mile, he should afterward tell him
just how fast he was going, in order that the lad may form
some idea for himself. This is the way to make a real
jockey, and the only course to follow if a trainer is really in
earnest with the boy. I have known good jockeys and boys
who won many races who had not the slightest idea how
fast they were going. These were exceptions. They
would never have won in a race of the olden time, when the
distances were greater than they are now. Any of the
smart little negroes of Murphy's time could have made the
best of these " get-off-quick-and-come-home boys " look very
cheap.
But the style of riding and the distances have changed,
together with the horses. At the same time these points
are all essential even now. Tod Sloan observes them.
They are not foreign to Lester and John Reiff, Thomas
Burns, Winnie O'Connor and a host of other good ones
that might be mentioned.
Pace must be taught the lad to make him a real, dyed-in-
the-wool jockey. In the meantime he must of his own vo-
lition and natural aptitude become acquainted with the habits
of the horse. He must learn to feel out the animal and tell
about what amount of endurance there is in the horse. Of
course, in no case would a jockey or rider be able to tell
anything of a horse's condition or ability the first time he
was placed upon him. The trainer alone is supposed to
know this, but beyond his information there is something
the boy must learn and something the trainer does not
know. That is, at exactly the point the horse will begin to
get tired. The boy feels this tiredness on the part of the
horse and realizes it by intuition, but the trainer gets his
information second-handed. Therefore, there are some
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things on which the lad is better informed than the man
who has the horse in training.
But there is another and most vital point to be consid-
ered, and that is the lad's nerve in a race. It would be folly
to permit him to gallop a few horses about the track, be able
to keep a firm seat and have control of a horse, and then
start him in a race. He would in ninety-nine cases out of a
hundred be scared to death before he got away from the
post. I doubt if he could get away at all, and if he did he
would be liable to run his horse the wrong way a half mile
or more before he discovered his mistake.
The trainer must send the boy along with a couple ot
others for a sort of an impromptu race. Other owners who
are anxious to see what their two-year-olds will do will often
agree to these little races between their horses, and thus the
lad who has started in to become a jockey gets an insight
into how to get off quickly and what to do when he is off.
He has learned by constant riding just what to expect of the
horse, and he will try his best to win.
Perhaps in two years the boy is ready to ride in a race,
and he appears before the clerk of the scales, clad in all the
gorgeous colors of the man in whose employ he is. As a
general thing the trainer has given the boy the chance in
order to get him accustomed to getting away from the post,
for this is one of the most difficult feats he must be taught.
There are boys on the track and riding every day now who
will never learn this point, and they are daily betraying
their ignorance, yet they secure mounts in some manner
from ignorant trainers and owners.
When the lad is put up for his first race the horse is
usually of an inferior class and is just put in the race in
order to assist in getting both the boy and the horse in con-
dition. But it may be that the boy is one of exceptional
promise, that he has shown marked aptitude for the work,
and has swept far ahead of the other exercise boys. In this
case I would recommend, as in the case of Russell Ramson
of late years, to put him on a superior horse and let him win
his first race. This will give him confidence and make him
believe that it is not such a difficult matter after all to win
races if a boy exerts himself to his utmost. He begins to
figure in the next race where he has a mount how to at least
9°
come inside the money and assist his owner. This boy is
interested. He has determined to become a jockey, and he
is going to leave no stone unturned to accomplish that end.
But when he gets to the saddle, and is ready to go to
the post with the instructions of the trainer ringing in his
ears, he is, of course, all a-tremble. If the horse he has under
him is a slow beginner, the lad is told to hurry him along
into a good position and never get out of striking distance.
Then to begin to make his run at the last quarter, no matter
what the distance may be. As has been said before, he must
avoid angles and get home the nearest way, as the trainers
put it. If he runs wide at any turn, he has lost just that
much ground.
I would not advise any boy to go out and set the pace
if he can help it, save in short dashes. Then the start means
everything on a poor horse. The trainer, however, must
be the judge of this, and he must tell the boy just what the
horse will be able to do. Then the rider knows he must
take advantage of every opportunity to improve the chances
of his mount. If he is an honest boy, he will do so.
Pockets are what are to be most carefully avoided for
your own horse ; but it is a very good idea, if you can do so,
to so ride the inferior horse that you will be able to pocket
the superior animal and win from him. But this is one of
the tricks that the novice has not acquired. It will come to
him later if he is observant. No trainer will be able to teach
him this, for no two races are ever run exactly alike and
under the same conditions. A horse may get off well placed,
far in front or almost left at the post without regard to his
speed, and there can be no set rules for playing a neat trick
and winning on a dark horse or long shot. Circumstances
govern all such cases, and the boy must judge for himself
what is best to do.
I would suggest as a parting admonition that the boy
keep as cool and collected as possible, never forgetting for a
moment the capabilities of the horse under him, always
watching what the others are doing and looking for a
chance to forge ahead at the finish.
A boy to keep in condition should ride as often as pos-
sible. If he can ride six or ten races a week, it is all the bet-
ter for him. The longer he remains on the ground the
91
worse it is for his ability, no matter how great he may be-
come as a jockey. If he is not riding in public and getting
paid for it, he should exercise in the mornings. Any owner
would be glad to give him the chance. He should avoid the
use of intoxicants, never smoke, chew tobacco or keep late
hours. These are the drains that draw the life blood from
the veins of a lad that might become great could he but
overcome the evils.
In reducing weight purgatives may be used, sweaters
put on producing violent perspiration, long walks and trots
taken, and even the Turkish bath is made use of. But there
is no especial method that will apply to all boys. Turkish
baths are so frightfully weakening that I would not recom-
mend this system to any one, but it is a vigorous and quick
way of reducing the flesh.
Every jockey should try to be a gentleman, should be
honest, sober and careful in all he does. If he adheres to
these principles, he will leave behind him a name that his
descendants may point to with pride. I would say in this
connection that I believe Tod Sloan to be all this and more.
There are others, however, and their names will live for
many years after they have retired to enjoy the fruits of
their early industry.
CHAPTER XIIL
How to Breed.
While racing has grown to almost stalwart proportions
in the land of the free and the home of the brave, it must be
admitted that breeding is not now carried on as judiciously
as it might be. That is why the class of the horse is
deteriorating.
In the olden times the breeders gave more attention to
the subject than they do now, and they were more careful
in their matings. When a man had a mare that was weak in
one point he invariably bred her to a stallion that made up
for this defect, and the result was that the progeny was
brought forth in almost faultless condition.
This careful judgment has produced the horses of to-day
that are winning the purses and stakes from one end of the
continent to the other. I could name a hundred horses now
that are useless simply because their breeding was de-
fective. The idea seems to be to breed a mare to any
stallion without regard to his or her temperament.
It is to this carelessness that the sturdy hardihood is
being lost. The whole idea is to secure speed without
regard to durability. If a horse is able to step out and win
a few stakes, he is considered as having performed his part
and the one for which he was intended. As a point in illus-
tration I would mention the case of Halma, truly a fine
animal. He is fine of form, as pretty as a picture, and is of
royal blood. When he came down from Lexington to run
for the Louisville Derby he was truly an animal fair to see,
and every turfman who saw him fell in love with him. It
was impossible for a man to look at this colt, see him work,
notice his graceful movements, and then fail to at least have
a desire to bet on his chances.
See what he did. He won the Louisville Derby with-
out even extending himself, and when he passed under the
wire he shook his black head with the air of a king. It is,
therefore, no wonder that Julius Fleischmann, of Cincinnati,
93
one of the most enterprising turfmen of the country, pur-
chased him and paid the liberal price of $25,000 for him.
Halma was a great performer on the turf for a few short
months, and then he broke down under the terrific strain to
which he was subjected. After becoming the property of
Mr. Fleischmann he did not win a race of any consequence.
He simply lacked the strength to stand the training. Had
he been bred for strength as well as speed, he would have
probably been one of the fastest and most successful horses
on the turf. He would have earned his owner thousands of
dollars and paid for himself a hundred times over. He is
now in the stud, and his get are coming to the front
through the judicious breeding of the proper kind of mares
to him. Halma has the strains of the best blood in the
land in his veins, and his progeny ought to further distin-
guish him.
Then there was Lieutenant Gibson, the son of lost Silk
Gown. Gibson bade fair to become a grand race horse, for
he had it in him to be one, but he lacked the strength that
characterized his ancestors. Lieutenant Gibson won the
Louisville Derby and then went wrong. He could not stand
training.
These are only a couple of cases that occur to me at the
present time, but there are a host of others that might be
mentioned.
Then, on the same point, let us take the case of the
mighty Ten Broeck. He was a racer of superior class. He
left a record that for many years was unequaled, and there
is not a turfman of to-day but remembers of his splendid
battles for supremacy over the best horses of his time. Look
at his get in the stud. But one or two succeeded. Bersan
was a truly wonderful performer, as was Teuton and Ten-
stone.
The dam of Bersan was Belle Knight, a light, agile
mare, full of fire and vigor. She was as fast as a flash of
lightning and was just the kind of an animal that should
have gone to his embrace. Lizzie Stone, the dam of Ten-
stone, had the same conformity and was full of speed. This
was equally true in the case of Teuton. But, strange as it
may seem. Ten Broeck got no others that were above the
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mediocre class. Some of them won races, but they did
nothing to attract especial attention.
The fault lies in the fact that no care was exercised in
the mating. Heavy, bulky mares were bred to him, and he
got a class of horses that inherited all the bad traits of the
dams and but few of their illustrious sire's. The mistake
was made in breeding Ten Broeck to such a class of mares
The animals he should have had should all have been light,
fast and vigorous. In the event the mare was of a vicious
temperament or nervous to a marked extent, the docility of
the sire would have offset this in the progeny. But every
owner was anxious to breed his mare to Ten Broeck because
he was a noted performer and because they thought it
would add to the value of the produce if the Ten Broeck
blood coursed through their veins.
A man having a mare that he desires to breed to a stal-
lion must first take into consideration all the weak points of
the mare herself. He must give them careful thought and
must not omit a single detail. Then he should consider the
points of the stallion. If his mare is gentle, speedy and a
sprinter, he should select a stallion that is full of good tem-
per and strength. This is necessary in order to get all of
these requisites in the foal. Then the greatest discretion
should be used in bringing together the sexes. Of course,
the first thing needed is a groom who knows how to educate
the stallion to approach the mare in a gentle manner. No
man owning a stallion that is making a season should neglect
this very essential point. He should use the utmost dis-
crimination in the selection of the groom who is to have
charge of the stallion.
When the stallion is brought out he should be perfectly
broken. If he is a vicious and rushing animal, he should be
held in check, so that the operation may be a natural one. If the
mare is a timid creature, no matter how passionate she may
be, the stallion may frighten her, and the result is frequently
that she will slink. Then the groom should be able to judge
whether or not she has caught. In the event he is unable
to make a good prediction of her condition, he may breed
her to another stallion when in reality she has caught by the
first. Then the first or second stallion may have been too
vicious, and the foal is lost.
95
I took a mare called Too Soon, a noted animal as a brood
mare, and when I got her Dr. Warfield, of Kentucky, added
a footnote to the bill of sale in which he said he believed the
mare to be barren. I had looked her over and had come to
the conclusion that she was not barren, but that the grooms
who had managed her did not understand her. She was
timid, and while she would accept any stallion at any time,
she always went to him scared and full of nervousness.
Under my care she passed another year, and then she
was bred to a stallion. I saw that he was well broken and
watched the operation. I saw that she was not frightened
and that she was not injured by the stallion. The result was
that she produced a foal, and the next year she did the
same. Never after that did she fail, and some of her prod-
uce made great reputations as race horses ; for instance,
Garrett Davis, Jim Watson and Calleroo, all of whom came
afterward.
Another point that must be given consideration is the
care of the mare after she has caught. She should not be
kept in the quarters where she was formerly if there are
other horses around. The groom should take her at least
half a mile away, where there will not be the slightest odor
of the operation through which she has just passed. She
must be perfectly isolated. It is better not to let her see a
horse or even a gelding, for it will make her more passionate
than she was at the time in question. This state must now
be gotten rid of, for the purpose has been accomplished and
she is with foal. At the end of three days she will be her-
self again, and the result is that the foal she brings forth is
sturdy and robust.
This is a matter that is not generally taken into consid-
eration. Hundreds of foals have been lost or their value
impaired by the groom in charge of the mare not knowing
exactly what he should do. The mare ought to then receive
the very best attention. This thing of scaring her, keeping
her in the company of other horses during her pregnancy,
and disregarding her comfort, may cause her to slink and
perhaps injure her ability as a brood mare. One season of
carelessness may ruin her for all time. Therefore, when a
man pays from $50 to $250 for a stallion's services, he may
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not only lose the money he has invested for the service, but
he may lose the foal and the mare as well.
How many of the breeders of to-day are there who con
sider all these little intricacies? Not more than a dozen, to
give a big margin. Of course, there are stock farms where
such things are known all over the United States ; but there
are hundreds where they are not observed, and the result is
that an inferior class of horses is produced, often where the
mating has been perfect and good foals should have been ob-
tained. I could mention many of these instances now, but I
do not care to say anything against a man who is in the busi-
ness for the purpose of earning a livelihood. A peculiar fea-
ture of it, too, is that this carelessness is observed in men
above the average in intelligence. They think all that is
necessary is for the stallion to receive the mare in his em-
brace and then return to the stable and go on with her usual
work as if nothing had happened. Something has happened
and another race horse is to be born into the world. Whether
this animal shall be of high class depends wholly upon the
treatment she receives at the hands of the groom who has
her in his care.
To sum it all up, the mare's peculiarities, both bad and
good, must be carefully gone over ; then those of the stallion
and lastly, but not least, the grooms handling both the ani-
mals must have been well instructed.
CHAPTER XIV.
How to Buy a Horse.
When a man concludes to purchase a horse for racing
purposes there are many important points to be considered.
Arriving at the scene of the sale, where there are a large
number of yearlings offered, he looks carefully over the
bunch.
If he is not a man who knows all there is to know about
horses, he should have some one with him who is versed in
such matters. This is necessary to avoid as far as possible
the making of mistakes.
The first thing that should be done in the selection of a
horse is to see that he is perfectly sound. The man offering
him for sale should be made to walk and trot him up and
down the street, paddock or place where the sale is held. It
sometimes happens that a colt is injured in his infancy in such
a way that the injury is not at first apparent because of the
long rest he has had.
But it is there just the same and it will sooner or later
be made manifest. Perhaps he may afterward slip and ren-
der himself perfectly helpless on account of this very injury.
Therefore, too much care can not be exercised in this
respect. When the animal is trotted and walked about for
some time an experienced eye is liable to detect it. How-
ever, the best of them frequently overlook such things and
a poor animal is purchased. In the main such things are
difficult to detect, but they are sometimes detected in time
and much expense and annoyance is saved. The shape of a
horse should also be considered. It should be seen that
he has all the lines that indicate speed, endurance, docility
of temperament and kindred accomplishments. Often it is the
case that a most beautiful animal has but little speed. I have
known of hundreds of such cases and could point them out,
but it is hardly necessary in this connection.
Then, having seen that the colt is sound, gives promise
of speed and seems desirable in every particular, the pros-
pective buyer should inquire into his pedigree. He should
98
be certain whether the sire or dam were speedy, strong, faulty
or liable to transmit any defects that would in after life mar
his chances of being a breadwinner.
There are strains that inherit blindness, and this often
creeps out in the fourth or fifth generation. I have known
instances where this defect cropped out half a hundred years
later. Many of the owners of these horses that became blind
never knew what caused it and had them in the hands of a
veterinary for months at a great expense to cure it, when in
reality it was a hereditary taint in the blood, and some of
their remote ancestors were afflicted in this way and handed
it down to posterity.
Of course, a colt with all these natural and perceptible
accomplishments will command a good price and he can not
be bought for a song, but it is better to have one good horse
in a stable than two dozen bad ones. The former will earn
money enough to pay for his keep, and the chances are that
the poor ones will not win a race often enough to keep them
in corn. That is why I say to a man, "Buy a good horse.''
Now, there are exceptions to every rule, and some of
the best horses of the past century were sorry-looking
yearlings and brought next to nothing. Men bought them
and raced them and won with them ; but this is not the gen-
eral rule. A blind hog is apt to stumble upon an acorn in
the forest, but his chances are very poor, and the wideawake,
active, hustling hog is apt to get all there is in the way of
eating.
But get a good horse, and then the mind naturally turns
upon how to break him and put him in training to become
useful.
Put a halter on him first and lead him about. Then
when he has become somewhat accustomed to this a bridle
should be placed on him. Again, he should be led about.
Then a pad should be girded on his back, not tight enough
to hurt him, but just enough to keep it in place. The idea
of this is to get him used to having something on his back
without being frightened.
About two days later a groom should go into the stable
and take hold of the horse's head. Then the bov who is
going to break him should be brought in and he should catch
hold of the mane, pat the horse on the sides and lean against
99
him. This is done in order to accustom the horse to bemg-
touched, so it will not cringe and become frightened every
time he is touched. It assists materially in breaking. Later,
when the animal has lost some of his sense of fear, the boy is
again brought in and the same operation is gone through.
He knows the boy by this time, and the lad may be placed
astride of him in the stall, with the groom holding his head
all the time. He simply sits there motionless, patting the
horse gently, now and then soothingly, and soon the quiver-
ing that was at first noticed in the sensitive animal's frame
is observed to have vanished.
This is done from time to time for several days, and for
a half hour at a time the boy is kept on his back. When
several days have passed a gentle or broken horse is brought
out and placed in front on the track. The colt to be
broken is led out by the groom with the boy to whom he
has become accustomed on his back. For an hour this is
kept up, and by this time the horse is no longer afraid of
the boy.
After the second day of this treatment a saddle is put
on the horse, not girted too tightly, and the groom should
lead him out of the stable to the track. The boy should be
placed on his back, and the groom releases his hold on the
bridle. Always agenile horse should lead the way, for one
horse will follow another much more quickly than he will
walk alone. He may be walked a half mile and then trotted
another half. Keep this up for some time in order to dispel
as far as possible his sense of strangeness or fear. The boy
must be taught not to dig his heels into the animal's sides,
for this will as a matter of course irritate him.
By the end of a week he may be cantered over a portion
of the track, but the boy should be instructed never to dis-
mount without having some one hold the head of the ani-
mal. This is a most important matter, for oftentimes a
horse becomes frightened in the very beginning by this
action and never fully recovers from it.
During this treatment the horse should be rubbed
gently and his feet taken up and picked out. All of this is
an education to the colt. A cloth should be used in rubbing
him, and it should be as soft as possible. He needs the best
of attention at this period.
Another thing to be considered is the language used in
stopping or starting a horse. In stopping him, if the groom
or boy says " Whoa," he should always use just these same
words in speaking to the horse. It becomes fixed in his
mind and he knows what it means. A trainer should never
forget this particular, for it is very helpful.
The horse's course should be reversed when he is out
for exercise or training, so he will get acquainted with the
meaning of the bridle rein. He should not be turned always
the same way, for it is often the case that swinnie is pro-
duced by the constant turning on one shoulder. The muscles
of the shoulder through sympathy shrink away.
Thirty days have passed and the colt is galloping. The
distance of these canters may be lengthened from a mile to
one and one-quarter miles. The sense of touch of the horse
has by this lime become so accustomed to handling that
plates may be put on his feet. But in order to get him sub-
missive to this treatment his feet should be picked out every
day, as was at first begun.
Then the colt should not be kept in the rear. He should
be permitted to go alongside the older horse, and after a
time he should be galloped first on one side and then the
other. This shows him that position does not count for
much and he is not going to be injured. At this point on
entering the track the colt should always be put in front of
the old horse and walked around the place where the gal-
loping is to be begun. He should be sent out in front and
made to keep that position in order to prevent his becoming
a bolter. Teach him to lead as well as follow.
The colt has caught his stride, and he ought to be sent
out to make a run of about an eighth of a mile at a good
rate of speed ; but no effort should be made to make him go
faster than a 2-minute gait. This should be kept up for sev-
eral days.
The sixth week has been reached and the horse may be
extended for a quarter of a mile. He is pretty well used to
the changes and begins to realize what is expected of him.
After he has gone a quarter of a mile several times at a
good rate of speed, during which time he has been taught
to go true and straight and not bolt about, he is about ready
to show what there is in him. If he is not hurried, he will
always go true and straight.
lOI
Then he may be extended to his best and given every
opportunity to show what he can do. He is sent just an
eighth this time. If he does not bear about by this time, he
may show great speed or just an ordinary amount. Let
two or three days go by and then give him this kind of a
test again. The first two months, however, should always
be worked fast in company with some other horse to lead
him. Work him a quarter without forcing or hurrying him
too much, and be careful that the ground over which he
travels is perfectly smooth and that there are no holes or
any obstacles to frighten or worry him.
At this stage the colt has been sufficiently advanced to
get a half mile's speeding in 58 seconds or a minute flat.
This is a 2-minute gait. This may be repeated at intervals
of every four days for two or three weeks until he is in his
eighth week. Now the horse is sufficiently learned to be
able to take hold of the bit. At the end of this time give
him a fast half mile, and afterward let him canter about
gently, so that he will not lose his temper. Keep him slowly
at work.
This terminates his training, and the owner may make
engagements for him if he has shown sufficient promise.
If he proves to be of no especial value, the best thing the
owner can do is to get rid of him.
But if he proves to be good, he should be kept going, so
he will not forget his training and the lessons that have up
to that time been taught him.
All winter, if the ground is good, he should get work,
and should be fed well to keep him high in flesh; but he
ought not to be permitted to get gross. Only enough is
necessary to keep him growing. This is the plan for a year-
ling, but it applies to a two-year-old. The latter is more
mature and he may have a little more work, for he is able
to bear up under it better than the yearling.
Colts that are put in training, it they are very fleshy*
should be given lots of grazing. It makes them eat and
feed better and cools them out, fills them with sap, and
thereby they eliminate this lusty condition and are stripped
of this superfluous flesh. Grass loosens this state of affairs
and assists materially in the development of the animal.
CHAPTER XV.
The Noted Jockeys and Trainefs.
While America leads all other countries on the face of
the earth for her horses, she also leads in the class of her
jockeys. She has given to the turf many of the princes of
the saddle, and by their skill and intelligence they have re-
cently electrified all England and France. There was prob-
ably never a year in the world's history that this fact was so
exemplified as in the one just passed.
Sloan, the Reiffs, Jenkins, Maher, Thorpe, Terrell,
Hamilton and a half dozen others are the wonder of the far
Eastern world. They have introduced a new style of riding
that the English, French, Australians, Russians, Austrians
and Germans do not understand, for it is entirely at variance
with all their established rules. Yet the system wins, and
now the English boys are being taught the method. In a
short time the American method will be adopted exclusively.
Probably the greatest jockey this country ever produced
was Isaac Murphy. He was a brown-skinned negro lad,
born in Kentucky, and rode many great horses. His first
engagement was with the stable of Hunt Reynolds, who
lived near Frankfort, Ky. Johnson & Churchill next secured
his services, and he rode Ben d' Or, Little Ruffin and Sir
Joseph Hawley for them, winning the majority of his starts.
But with the string of Edward Corrigan, the " Master of
Hawthorne," he made his reputation.
With him Murphy rode Modesty, the winner of the first
American Derby ; Freeland, who defeated the celebrated
Miss Woodford ; Riley and other good ones. Murphy was
noted for his honesty, and could always be depended upon
in any emergency. On one occasion, it is said, he was
asked to pull a horse. He firmly declined, and no amount
of money would tempt him to do wrong. " You will have
to get somebody else to ride your horses after this," he said,
and he could not be induced to ride for that man again.
There was never so good a judge of pace as Murphy. He
could tell within a fraction of a second just how fast he was
103
moving at every quarter. From one end of the country to
the other he was famous, and every little boy who took any
interest in racing knew of and had an admiration for Isaac
Murphy, He was black of skin, but his heart was as white
as snow, and when he passed under the string on the pale
horse the old gentleman with the scythe tipped his hat
politely and said : " Pass right into the parlor among the
gentlemen angels."
James McLaughlin began his career with William Daly,
commonly known as " Father Bill," who sold his services to
Michael and Phil Dwyer, for $800. McLaughlin was white,
but, like Murphy, he rode many distinguished horses and was
noted for his skill in the saddle. He sat upon the backs of
such celebrities as Hanover, Hindoo, Luke Blackburn and
Insoector B., and often piloted them to victory. Jimmy was
as honest as the day is long and was never accused of unfair-
ness. If he ever pulled a horse or failed to do his best, I
never heard of it. That is why he so enjoyed the confidence
of the people, and a man who had a bet on one of McLaugh-
lin's mounts knew he would get a run for his money and
that if there was any chance for him to win McLaughlin
would make the best of it. He is still alive at this writing
and is a trainer of considerable note.
"Snapper'' Garrison was noted for his skill in finishing,
and the " Garrison finish '' is spoken of to this day. One
hears it at cards and in nearly every walk of life, where a
man succeeds in accomplishing his object at the moment
when he had begun to despair. Garrison rode for the
Dwyers and all the big turfmen of the East. The lad was
sober, steady and courageous, and his friends never lost con-
fidence in him. Finally, he became so heavy that he was
forced to retire from the saddle. He tried in vain at the
end of his career to make the weight, but could not do so.
and it is said he actually broke down and wept when he
found that he must stop. Garrison did not possess the
qualifications of a trainer, and he is spending the last days
of his life in quietude.
Fred Tarel began as a rider with Dan Honig, of St-
Louis. He distinguished himself in the East and won many
great races. One of them was the victory of Dr. Rice in
the Brooklyn or Suburban — I have forgotten exactly which
it was.
I04
Bob Swim was with Dr. Weldon at St. Louis. Then
he secured employment with Price McGrath, where he had
the mounts on Aristides, Tom Blowline and Calvin when
they won such remarkable victories. There was a time
when Bobby drove cattle through the streets of St. Louis,
and Dr. Weldon noticed him ridino;- through the city and
took a fancy to him. That is how he became a jockey, and
when he won the Kentucky Derby with the "little red
horse," Aristrides, for Price McGrath he was the idol of all
Kentucky,
Frank Jordan's career was a short one, but it was emi-
nently successful. He started in at riding quarter horses
down in the Indian Nation, and then drifted into the legiti-
mate turf. When he went to St. Louis he became noted as
one of the best riders that ever threw a leg over a horse.
He bears the distinction of having paid one of the biggest
fines ever assessed on the American turf. It was produced
by alleged disobedience at the post, although the general
opinion is that he was fined because he was breaking all the
books at the track. So well did the lad manage his mounts
that all the public wanted to know was what horse Jordan
was riding, and then they would put their money down on his
chances without regard to form. Little Jordan walked de-
liberately into the stand where the judges were standing and
counted out the money without a word of comment. It was
afterward recovered ; but the lad showed he was game to a
wonderful degree, and the public fairly idolized him. He
rode Queenie Trowbridge in a race in New York and won
$200,000 for McCafferty & Wishard. They had arranged
for a grand killing, and they certainly made it.
Tommy Burns started in with Tom Hearn and was very
successful, but he has always had a hard time getting along
with the owners for whom he rode. Afterward he rode for
John Schorr and Burns & Waterhouse. A good judge of
pace and a careful general, he has won many races and is a
most useful lad.
Charley Thorpe is a good jockey and is noted for his
honesty to his employers. One may always depend that he
will do his best. He is now riding in Australia. Originally
he came from the wilds of Nebraska, and the first good
horse he ever rode was Belle K. Several owners had fixed
105
up a race and arranged that Gen. Rowett was to win it.
The men placed every cent they could raise upon Gen.
Rowett, because they believed he was the best. The owner
of Belle K. agreed to place Belle K., but he had not calcu-
lated on the honesty of Thorpe. The boy positively refused
to have anything to do with the scheme, and he went in and
won with his mount. " It broke us," said the gentleman who
relates the incident, " but it shows the boy was honest."
Alex, and George Covington are two of the best boys
that ever sat in a saddle, and it will be a long time before
they are forgotten in the turf world. A nice little incident
is related of George Covington to show his thoughtfulness
and freedom from that peculiar disease commonly termed
"swelled head." George rode Strathmeath and won the
great American Derby with him. After the race, in which
thousands of dollars were won and by which Covington's
store was greatly added to, he split the kindling and made
the fire to heat the water for the purpose of cooling the
horse out. In England Alex, distinguished himself, and is
also a trainer and owner.
John Spillman was a noted jockey of his day and was
very popular. He was killed in a fight in the East and a
great career was cut short.
William Martin is now too heavy to ride, but only a few
years ago he stood among the best. He has always been
noted for his cool judgment and good generalship. In San
Francisco he scored his greatest triumphs and won thou-
sands of dollars. Unlike most jockeys, he saved his money
and is now comfortably fixed.
Of course, the mighty James Todhunter Sloan must not
be forgotten. He came from a little town in Indiana. His
brother, Cash Sloan, was in St. Louis, riding, and Tod ran
away from his adopted parents and went to Missouri.
There his first engagement was as cook for Col. Johnson,
who owned Jim Douglas. Afterward he became an exercise
boy. After the hardest kind of a struggle he fought his way
up, and after a time he was considered good enough to ride
at the old Southside outlaw track. Then he branched out
and climbed to the highest pinnacle of pigskin fame. When
fortune smiled upon him and when he was worth thousands
he returned in truly regal style and made his foster parents
io6
happy. The little town fairly worships the lad, and he
stands as high with them as does the President of the United
States. In fact, they would be willing to run Tod for that
office if they thought he would accept the nomination.
Dann}' Maher is a clever little fellow who came to the
front a short time ago in the East, and is now in England^
astonishing the slow-going Britons by his up-to-date methods
in the saddle.
John Wishard is in England and is training the horb^es
of Richard Croker.
" Soup " Perkins was once a noted negro jockey of Ken-
tucky, and two of the Derby winners passed under the wire
first under his skillful guidance. He became too heavy to
ride and retired, having quite a fortune. " Soup" does not
know how to read or write, and it is said that when he re-
tired he went home to the little cabin where he lived with
his parents. They were very poor and his father had never
had a good suit of clothes up to that time. Some one sug-
gested that " Soup " fix the old man up a bit. He bought his
father the loudest suit of clothes the market afforded and
provided him with a watch nearly as large as a loaf of bread.
From the old man's vest pocket there dangled a massive
chain, and in his high hat he looked the swell negro sport.
" Soup" attired himself in a similar manner, and when the
two paraded the streets of Lexington they attracted all sorts
of attention.
Eddie Dominck is one of the best riders of to-day and is
always adding to his laurels.
Winnie O'Connor is certainly a wonder, and he stands
among the best in the country.
Willie Shaw rides for Pittsburg Phil, and it is to his
success in the saddle that Phil owes much of the money he
has won during the past two seasons.
Joe, Hunter, Dave, Harry and Eli Vittatoe are five lads
of one family that are riders, and good ones, too. Hunter
was considered to be an excellent judge of pace.
Johnny BuUman is a great favorite wherever he rides, and
the owner he rides for always gets the best there is in the
horse.
Willie Sims was one of the best jockeys of his time, and
he rode many winners in Derbies and stake events.
I07
Willie Newcom is a handsome little fellow who has had
considerable success as a rider. He is honest, straightfor-
ward and clever at his business.
Willie Dale is a boy who is going to make his mark on
the turf.
Roscoe Troxler is one of the best boys that ever be-
strode a thoroughbred. His brother Johnny is a good rider
and a fine trainer.
James Beauchamp is fast getting to the front and is a
good rider.
George Cochran comes of a race of riders, and his rel-
atives have always distinguished themselves on the turf.
Little George is going to be a great man some day.
There are hundreds of other riders who might also be
mentioned, but they have not aspired to the highest honors
and have been content to win a race now and then. They
are all good boys, however, and some of them may be sur
prises.
I have neglected to speak of Johnny Moone}', of St.
Louis, a boy who is now too heavy to ride, but was once
noted for his cleverness in the saddle.
Some of the men as trainers of horses who have figured
most prominently in making turf history, in both the old
and the modern school, appear to me at this time — I mean
representative men, who in every feature of their business
added "lustre," if not greater confidence, national and in-
ternational, in the high and refined motives vrhich have at all
stages influenced the gentlemen at the head in management
of the American turf. If I were to attempt to enumerate
all who are worthy to be recorded in this list, it would be
quite as long as the moral law ; therefore, I will confine my
remarks in mentioning but a few of the more prominent in
both schools. The old school abounded in such men as
Arthur Taylor, Captain John Belcher, Boston, trainer; both
of these were from Virginia, and came up in the Wm. R. John-
son School; Bob Wooden, George R.Walden, Bony Young,
John Alcock, of whom there is a pretty little story told as
follows in connection with Mr. Wm. R. Johnson, who was
once running his celebrated horse Duane against a horse
that had been trained by young Alcock, and was but little
known at that time, but afterwards became famous; but a
io6
rumor got circulated that Alcock's horse was entirely too
fat or high in flesh and could not possibly run any. John-
son, hearing and confiding too in this rumor, bet very heavily
on Duane, but lost, and Alcock won at the termination of the
last heat. As Johnson was casually passing by where Al-
cock stood cooling out his horse, together with a number of
distinguished gentlemen friends of Alcock's stable, Johnson
called young Alcock, at the same time saying : " I have a bug
to put in your ear ; I learned that your horse was a little
too fat during the last day or two and in consequence of that
rumor 1 am twenty-five thousand dollars poorer to-day than
I was yesterday. Now, my advice is to you to always keep
him just a little too fat, but please let me know of it hereaf-
ter when you have him that fat, and I shall be under many
obligations to you. "
This list were all from Virginia; there never was an ad-
verse rumor about any one of them : Lee Paul, Thomas
Paterson, Mat Davis, Gerome Edgar, James Davis, trainer
of Jim Bell ; Munk Fowler, Buck Elliot, Buck Franklin,
Sandy Bames, Henry Welch, William McCormick, James
McCormick, Isaac Vanleer, old man Ansel, old Charles, who
became famous when he trained Wagener, and Charles Car-
ter, Edward Harrison, Joe Porter, John Hamon, Benjamin
Pryor, Addison Small, Washington Graves, Thomas G.
Moore, Wilson Teasdal, and the late Capt. William A. Stew-
art, than whom I never knew an abler or more capable man
with every and all classes of horses, nor have I ever known any
horseman who was held in anything like such general es-
teem for his many estimable qualities. Amongst the men
who have risen to prominence since the last half of the
eighteenth century as trainers of credit and ability, and
whose records can be said to be emulous, it may suffice to
give a short list, as time and space are inadequate to do
more at this time of writing. The late Ephraim Snedica,
William Brown of Parole fame, Barney Reily, Matthew
Burns, Franklin McCabe, Mr. Charles Patison, Mat Dun,
Pat Dun, Red Bill, William McDaniel, Henry McDaniel,
William Lakeland, John Huggins, Jacob Pincus, James Mc-
Loflin, Charles Mulholland, Peter Wiemer, Jackson Joiner,
Thomas Welch, Brown Dick, Preston West, and last but by
no means least Mr. James Row, as I know no man of his
107
experience who has superior talents in his business in any
country on the globe, diligent, sagacious and incorruptible —
in fact, he is the brightest pebble on the beach; Thomas
Sayers, Jr., a natural son of the once famous English pugilist
of the same name and of John C. Heenan fight fame; Col.
David McDaniel of Harry Basit, Katie Pease, Springbock
fame; the noted John Harper, breeder and owner of Ten-
broke and Longfellow; the late Jackson Minor, who trained
the great horse Kentucky for the late Mr. August Belmont,
Sr. ; Mr. Charles Littlefield, who rode Kentucky in his races
and trained the great Preakness, Monarkist, Mate, Hegara,
Brigand and others; that gentle best of fellows, Henry Avis,
of the firm of Avis & Mulky, of Kansas City, Missouri ; John
Morris, who trained for Mr. George Long, of Louisville,
Kentucky, than whom there is no cleverer a gentleman; Mr.
Robert Tucker, who trained many good horses for the late
Col. Sam Brown, of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Mr. Green B. Morris,
who is in a class by himself ; Mr. Wm. Scully, late of Ken-
tucky, but now of Sheepshead Bay, Coney Island ; Mr. John
Lowe, of Sheepshead Bay, Coney Island; Mr. H. R. Brandt,
who trains for Mr. Barney Schreiber.
CHAPTER XVI.
The Greatest Plungers.
Ever since there has been betting in the world there
have been plungers, as the outside world calls them — men
who were not afraid to take a chance and bet their money.
A peculiarity of the matter is that the majority of them have
been gentlemen, and there was scarcely a one who did not
have a first-class education. Of course, there are excep-
tions, but they were few and far between.
Pre-emiment among them was the late Col. W. R. John-
son. He was a man who stood among his fellows as a tall
blade of grass in a barren field. There was not a man who
ever met him but was convinced of the superiority of his
worth. He came of one of the best families in the South,
was always noted for his sterling probity, and the whole
Southern and Northern world worshiped at his shrine.
Suave of manner, an amusing entertainer, gentle of
deportment, ready to resent an insult, and a man of the old
school, where every man's rights must be respected, he stood
the highest among the high and mighty of his day. There
is no turfman of the present day but will take off his hat to
the memory of such a man.
Yet Col. Johnson was one of the greatest plungers of his
time, and, by the way, there has been no man up to this date
who has excelled him in those qualities which go to make
up a plunger. He sometimes wagered as much as $75,000
on a single race, and whether he won or whether he lost it
was not perceptible in his manner. There are few such men
in the world, and it has been often said of him that " nature
broke the mold." Born in Virginia, he inherited all that
rich strain of Southern blood that believes in giving to every
man his rights and exacting from every man his own meed.
It was Col. Johnson who made all the great matches of the
ancient times, and it was his active mind that brought about
the contests between the North and South, where for the
most part the natives of his own section were successful.
I09
It has been said that in the stable of Col. Johnson there
was not a horse but had a claim to distinction. In any event,
he matched them with the greatest success for many years,
and the Northern people nearly always suffered by the
contests.
A plunger must be a bundle of nerves and filled with
discrimination to the utmost degree. Col. Johnson was
more than this. He was always the urbane gentleman
under whatever circumstances he found himself. I have
said this about one of the greatest turfmen the world ever
produced for the reason that I knew him, knew his descend-
ants, respected and loved them, and I feel that I can not say
a word in this respect, paying a tribute to one of Nature's
noblemen, that would be an untruth.
James McLaughlin, of New Orleans, was one of the
heaviest bettors in the South during his time. When he
thought he had a chance he was always willing to take it.
He wagered thousands on a single race, and whether he won
or lost he never lost his temper. Then there was Charles
Riley, from New York. He was as game a sport as ever
opened a bottle of wine after making a big winning, and he
was opening them all the time. Riley started South after
every big meeting in the fall and spent his summers in the
land where the cool and inviting palmetto holds out its
inviting shade and where the soft winds of the Gulf Stream
fan the fevered brow.
One of the prettiest stories connected with plunging on
the turf is the history of Charles, better known as " Riley,''
Grannan. He was born near Lexington, in the State of
Kentucky, and received hut a meager education. When his
father's farm was mortgaged, and he had tried in vain to
secure employment in the county, he packed up his few
belongings and went to Louisville. Grannan had been a
never-do-well and he had learned no trade. His parents
had permitted him to grow up around the stables and his
mind was filled with the doings of horses instead of the
doings of men.
He cared no more for history — at least that part of it
that relates to the human family — than does a wild animal
about the Ten Commandments. He just grew up wild —
like Topsy in the play of " Uncle Tom's Cabin.'' But
no
everybody had a liking for " that Grannan boy," and there
was no one to say a word against him. It was generally
known that his family was in bad straits, but no one
thought of " Riley," as he was called, as the one destined to
bring the needed relief. This was not because he was a bad
boy, for such was not the case. Charles Grannan was then
and is to-day the soul of honor.
But to return to the thread of the story. He left his
little home in Lexington, and a fond mother probably shed
many a tear over him as he went away, but he declared that
when he returned to them he would bring them money and
happiness in abundance. Some of the more pessimistic of
the neighbors sneered and scoffed at the idea of " Riley "
ever amounting to anything. He was a diamond in the
rough, and they did not know it.
Going to Louisville, the country boy who had spent the
best part of his life about the stables of Lexington could
find out little to do. What there was proved to be of such
a character that he did not feel able to undertake it. By and
by he was reduced to ten cents. This was the sole capital
he had in his possession. Walking into the saloon of
George Hess, a man who kept a place on Sixth street, be-
tween Jefferson and Green, at the time, he called for a glass
of beer and a cigar. These he paid for and he was then
penniless.
Leaning across the counter, he became engaged in
conversation with Mr. Hess.
" Do you ever bet on the races? " he asked Mr. Hess.
" Yes, sometimes," was the reply.
" Well,'' said the country lad with that confidence that
characterizes men who have always dealt with honest men
and suspect nobody, " I have come to this town to borrow
$700 from some man who bets on the races."
Mr. Hess smiled, and well he might, but he was interest-
ed in the unsophisticated youth.
"What is your scheme, lad?'' he asked.
" I'm going to pick six winners for him to-morrow, and
then he will trust me,'' was the confident reply.
Mr. Hess looked at the truthful face, and he thought he
would take a chance. Nine hundred and ninety-nine thou-
sand men out of a million might have called and said the
Ill
same thing-, and if they had persisted Mr. Hess would have
sent for a policeman.
That night *' Riley " Grannan, the penniless Lexington
country boy, slept with the saloon keeper. The next morn-
ing they went around to the Turf Exchange, the pool room
of the town, and saw the entries for the foreign races. Gran-
nan made notes of them, and in the afternoon they went
back,
" What about this first race, boy ?'' asked Hess.
" Play this one," said Grannan, " and put about $ioo on
him."
He pointed out a long shot. Hess hesitated, but he put
a $ro bill down. The odds were long and no one thought the
animal had a chance. He won, and the capital of the
saloon keeper was added materially to. He wanted the
young fellow to go and get a drink with him on the strength
of their victory, and this is what Grannan said, as told the
writer by Mr. Hess himself:
" I thank you, Mr. Hess, but a man who has any busi-
ness to attend to has no business drinking. I need all the
nerve I can muster, and drinking will injure it. As you
have been accustomed to taking a drink occasionally, you do
it, but I want nothing. I will figure out the next race for
you."
He went to work on the matter, and when they left the
pool room that evening they had won six races and not
lost a bet.
The next day was a repetition of the first, Grannan re-
fusing to take a cent of the winnings.
" What do you want?'' said Hess finally.
" I am after $700," said Grannan.
"Here it is," said Hess. "What are you going to do
with it?"
•' Go to California and make a book on the races with
it," said the Lexington rustic.
" Go on," said Hess, knowing his money was in the
hands of an honest man.
Grannan went away and spent the winter. When he
returned he divided $42,000 with Mr. Hess, making it share
and share alike. Then he went back to the Biuegrass cap-
ital, the place the Kentuckians are wont to say with pardon-
112
able pride is so close to heaven that they can sometimes hear
the harps of the angels as they gather at the beautiful river
and offer up peons of praise.
By this time the old folks had moved from the old farm
where so many of the Grannans had been born for ages past
and were renting a small place not far away. " Riley," the
never-do-well, bought the old farm back, and he went further
and bought the place where the family was then living.
Sending a man to the house ahead of him to tell them the
farm had been sold, he waited to give his parents a joyful
surprise. The man told the old couple the farm had been
sold and that the new owner wanted immediate possession.
Of course, Mr. Grannan, Sr., and his estimable wife were
plunged in the depths of despair.
" By the way,'' said the messenger, " here is the new
owner. "
And then the black sheep walked in. Of course there was
an affecting scene, and when the deeds giving her the prop-
erty were placed in the hands of Mrs. Grannan her joy knew
no bounds. It would be sacrilege to describe such a scene,
but I mention the incident to show you that a man may be
a gentleman at heart and poor in purse.
Afterward Grannan lost and won probably $2,000,000.
Then his health failed him, for he was never stout, and he
went to Europe There he lost all the money at Monte
Carlo that he had made on the block in this country, and
once more he was forced to return to America. Now he is
said to have amassed a competency and is in the East en-
deavoring to get well and once more show the turfmen
who laid the rail. Grannan is the man who while on the
block probably took the largest bet that has been recorded
in modern times. It was during the celebrated race between
Domino and Henry of Navarre.
"I wish to place a bet on Henry of Navarre,'* said
Michael Dwyer.
"Very well, sir; you are on," said the suave little Gran-
nan. "How much?''
" About $21,000," was Dwyer's response.
" Make out this ticket," said Grannan to his sheet writer.
" Any more of the same kind, Mr. Dwyer?" he asked.
"3
" That's enough," was Dwyer's response, and ever since
that time Dwyer has had the greatest respect for the nervy
little Kentucky boy who wears no mustache and does not
look to be out of his teens.
Of course, every one has heard of the famous Dwyer
Brothers and of their almost phenomenal success upon the
American turf. There is hardly a schoolboy who will not
recognize the name. They have always been noted for their
gameness and judgment. Mike Dwyer has few equals on
the race tracks to-day who are judges of speed and condition.
He has made and lost several colossal fortunes, and he is
still alive and he may win and lose many more.
But it may be interesting in this connection to mention
how the famous Pittsburg Phil got his start. The story
was told me by the man who devised the scheme, and I have
every reason to believe it to be true.
Pittsburg Phil was only a poor cigarmaker who made
an occasional bet. He formed the acquaintance of John B.
Hill and " Pinky " Botay at Monmouth Park. Hill was the
genius of the trio, and he informed the two others that he
believed he had a system that would beat the races and beat
them all the time. The others were ready to listen, but they
had but very little money. Then Hill unfolded to them his
plan. He went on to explain that they should watch every
race for a week and get a line on the horses. One was to
go to the half, another to the three-quarters and the third
was to remain at the wire. They were to watch all the horses
carefully and see whether they had gotten good starts, been
interfered with, and what was the matter with them that
they did not win.
Several days of this kind of work showed them that
there was one horse that was superior to any of his com-
pany, but he had always met with accidents and had never
had a chance. They waited, held a conference with the boy
who was going to ride him, gave him some advice, and then
they invested all their capital on his chances. He was a long
shot and he won handily. This gave the three celebrated
plungers their starts in life. Pittsburg Phil and Botay have
nearly all they made, but Hill has dissipated his money, and
he said once that he doubted if either of the other two would
be willing to assist him if he was in the direst want. Yet
114
this is the man who furnished the brains originally for the
enterprise.
I might go on and mention a half hundred men who are
noted for their nerve on the turf, but these will probably
suffice. I ought not to close, however, without saying
something concerning my old friends Dick Roche and Bob
Pate. In the whole country there are probably not two
gamer men than these. They are ready to hazard their last
dollar on any kind of a proposition and are gentlemen of
the old school. When they cash in their last stacks to the
Grim Banker, I want to be able to write on the scrolls for
them :
" Here lie two honest men."
CHAPTER XVIL
Waning of the Gray.
The decline of the gray horse on the race track is
worthy of some attention, for it forcibly impresses one who
considers such things. There was a time when the gray
animal was a mighty power on the race track, but that time
is passed, and the pale-hued equine is noted not simply for
his scarcity.
Once they were the kings and queens of the turf, and
once they pulled down the greatest purses and stakes.
Slowly the decline began, and the stock gradually faded
away.
Among the earliest of the gray ones was Gray Diomed,
a great racer and sire. His fame was widespread and he
distanced most of the horses of his day. It was considered
very desirable to mate a mare to this stallion, and his get
invariably proved winners.
Next might be named the famous mare Andrewetta,
who beat the celebrated Boston on the Broad Rock track
and made the best time of the day. Her performance was
looked upon as nothing short of marvelous.
Then came Gamma, a Tennessee-bred mare, who was
very fast and beat many good horses at from three to four
miles.
Gray Eagle was in the class of this color, and his fame
was spread from the Canadas to the Gulf. He it was who
took the measure of many great ones and was the pride of
old Kentucky.
Gray Medoc, by old Medoc, was celebrated for his vic-
tory over Altof and the other notables of his time. He got
nothing very noted in the stud, but some of his produce
were fair race horses.
A distinguished horse of his time was Gray Tyrant.
He was one of the first horses owned by John Harper. In
seven heats he was at length beaten by Rally, who was
owned by John M. Clay. The race took place at Versailles
ii6
and is on record there as one of the notable racing events.
The writer rode Rally at the time.
Kite was bred by James K. Duke in Kentucky and won
some good races. He was not a great horse, but he was a
consistent performer.
One-eyed Joe came from the green fields of Virginia
and was bred by Col. James Tally. He was a winner at all
distances and was regarded as a very formidable animal.
Little Arthur was by Glencoe and was owned in Ten-
nessee by Bill Cheatham. He was a fair race horse, but did
nothing particular in the stud.
One of the great ones was Lightning, a celebrated horse
belonging to Boyden & Chinn. He was a sire of note.
His full brother, Thunder, did some good work on the
track and left behind him a scant progeny.
Two other full brothers were Lodestone and Thunder,
who did well and made quite a reputation, but they got
nothing in particular.
Gray Fannie was celebrated as a dam, but she was not
especially fast.
Bill Bass was owned by Gen. Price, of Missouri, and
was just a fairly good animal.
Gabriel was very fast at one and one-quarter miles and
could show his heels to some of the speediest racers there
were on any track. He had more sense, according to horse-
men, than any other animal that ever stepped upon a track.
It is claimed that he always watched to get the best of the
start at the post and had his eyes fixed on the others, look-
ing for the slightest attempt to break. Then he knew and
realized to the fullest extent just what was expected of him.
It was his desire to always come first under the wire, and he
might be depended upon from start to finish to do his level
best.
Sallie Ward, Jr., was a gray mare owned by Richard
Ten Broeck. She was taken into Canada, and the writer
rode her in some of the best races there. There were few
who could beat her when she was extended. This mare won
thousands of dollars for her owner and was considered one
of the best of her time.
Reel was one of the grandest of the grays. She was a
mare that could go all distances, and there were few that
117
could even get within striking distance of her. She left the
track, where she had made herself famous by her wonderful
bursts of speed, and went into the stud. There she produced
some of the grandest performers that the world has ever
known.
Ann Dunn, her daughter, bade fair to become a wonder ;
but she met with an accident when she was three years old
that caused her death. At New Orleans she had won the first
heat, when she slipped and fell, breaking both her forelegs.
Her owner was forced to kill her, and when he did so he
lost a valuable property, for there was every reason to be-
lieve that she would become as fast, or nearly so, as her
famous dam.
Jig was owned by Col. Kirkman in Alabama, and was a
fair performer and worthy of having in any man's string.
Lilac was not a very fast mare, but she was a good pro-
ducer. In the early part of her career she slipped on the ice
and so severely injured herself that she never fully recov-
ered. But for this unfortunate accident she might have
made her mark as a performer. Her hind quarters were
partially paralyzed.
Gray Cloud was bred by Gen. Rowett, of Illinois, and
was afterward purchased by Noah Armstrong, who ran him
with success, winning a number of stakes. He liked the
mud and rarely lost when the going was to his liking. Much
might be said on this particular subject regarding this cele-
brated horse, but Gray Cloud was a good one and was able
to impress the beholder wherever he was raced.
Little Blue was bred and owned by John Harper.
From one to three miles he was especially good and won
many races for his owner, who prized him very highly for
his consistency.
Josh was bred in Kentucky by Webb Ross and won
many races, being a full brother to Bob Schnell, or the
Dutchman, who was a celebrated three-year-old.
Sarah Miller was a famous mare of her time, and she
won a great many rich stakes and purses.
Falcon was a full sister to Gray Eagle and was the great
grandam of the mighty Hanover. She did little on the
track, but was distinguished for her progeny.
ii8
Ophelia was the dam of Falcon and Gray Eagle and but
little is known of what she did on the track as a performer.
Her claim to distinction lies in her produce, which was
numerous.
Grisette traces back to the Dance family, and produced
some good animals. She was only a fair performer.
The majority of the grays that have been trained proved
good horses, and there are few of the color that have proved
to be total failures. They are noted for their consistency as
performers and for their remarkable speed and endurance.
There has hardly been one of them that could not go any
distance and always be depended upon to do his or her level
best.
The general opinion is that this gray color was obtained
from early Arabian crosses, and on the desert it was much
sought after by the Bedouins, who needed speed more than
anything else in their marauding trips across the arid plains.
A great many of the Arabs were nearly milk-white, with
black spots. Fysall, the last importation by Keene Richards,
of Georgetown, Ky., came from Arabia and was as white as
snow, with a few black spots cropping out here and there.
He was never trained and came here as a stallion for the
brood farm. It is claimed for this animal that he was the
purest of all the Arabs, but he did not succeed to any extent.
Mr. Richards spent five years in Arabia learning the Ara-
bian language, so as to be able to understand and talk with
the sheiks of the desert, in order to get the very best of the
animals they had. The natives were so enraged that, when
he started to leave with his purchases, they followed him
across the desert and made him give up some of the horses
he had bought.
The most probable cause for the decline of the gray
horse is the breeding and intermixing with the more pre-
dominant colors, such as browns, bays and blacks. Thus the
further that we breed away from the Arab the further we
go toward extinguishing this color. Now and then one
crops out that bears the pale hue, but they are few and far
between, and the tendency is toward the ending of this color
as race horses. I do not mean by this that there are no gray
horses amountmg to anything on the turf, but only seek to
show that he is not so numerous as he was at one time
119
Every year there is a fair gray horse or mare on the turf,
and some of them have won purses in latter days. But there
have been no stake horses of any consequence for many
years.
It is possible, but not probable, that a return to this con-
sistent color will ever be made. However, it may be a cen-
tury before the color is entirely stamped out. Now it seems
that the tendency is in this direction.
The Arabs brought here by Keene Richards all proved
failures, although they were bred to such mares by imp.
Glencoe as Blonde, Miss Duke, Peytona. From the latter
probably came the best of the get, Transylvania, who ran
one mile in 1:48 and could not repeat this performance.
They were also crossed to the very best Wagner and
Medoc mares, who were succeeding to the native stallions.
The famous Lux was bred to one of them and produced a
little, scrawny fellow who could do nothing whatever.
Perhaps the greatest of all the grays was the famous
gray mare Ariel, by American Eclipse, who lost the $20,000
match (three-mile heats) to Flirtilla, Jr., by Sir Archie, over
the Union Course, Long Island, this being one of the
many famous matches made and run between the North
and the South. The latter section being victorious in this
contest, people from every State in the Union traveled,
some of them for weeks, on horseback to be present at this
great race, where thousands of dollars changed hands
through the admirers of these two champion mares on the
result of this great match. Whilst they did not think
Ariel's condition on this occasion was just what it should
have been — and she got beat — yet this great mare, during
the time she was on the track, met and defeated nearly
every horse, mare or gelding of any repute, and at all
distances. She traveled from Long Island to the Gulf and
back by land, more than four thousand miles. Frequently,
during this trip, at night, when she would be stopped at
some point to rest, after a hard, irksome day's travel, she
would often be without shelter of any kind, save perhaps
the buff of a tree on the roadside and the canopy of the
heavens. And now, with all of our grand improvements,
both in horses and in all racing matters, which no sane per-
son will dispute, yet the author has to pause and think
I20
whether or not we, in this great age of progress in turf
matters, have not lost some of the great hardihood, if not
other valuable property, that the best horses of those days
had.
CHAPTER XVHL
Tales of the Turf.
At this juncture several Uttle anecdotes of incidents that
have come under my observation on the turf occur to me.
I know a turfman is always ready to listen to anything that
is entertaining or amusing concerning a horse and racing.
It happened after the war, say about 1866, at Lexington
The spring races had begun and there was a gray and a sor.
rel in a race. I have forgotten their names now, for they
were of mediocre ability and have never been heard of since.
Therefore, their names are of no importance. The gray was
the favorite and everybody thought he had only to step
over the track and claim the purse. Several bookmakers
were at the side of the track, taking bets, and were getting
wagers on all the horses in the race except the sorrel.
Col. John Morrison, a prominent gentlaman of St. Louis
at the present time and one of the cleverest fellows on earth,
whom everybody knows and everybody likes, was then but
a youth, but he was born in old Kentucky and naturally
possessed a love for the thoroughbred. He stood at the ring-
side, watching the bets being put down on the gray. Sud-
denly an inspiration struck him, and, walking up to the lead-
ing bookmaker, he said :
" What odds will 5^ou give on the sorrel? "
"I'll make it a hundred to one sonny," said the book-
maker, patronizingly. " How much do you want ? "
" Ten dollars worth," said Col. Morrison, not to be
bluffed.
The horses were sent to the post, and something sud-
denly went wrong with the gray. He had the race at his
mercy and could have won easily over the field had he been
in fix. His withdrawal left the bets as they were, and the
start was made. The sorrel was full of speed and no one
knew it. " He just stepped out and made the others trail
under the wire behind him. Col. Morrison collected $1,000
from the bookmaker, and as he handed it out the latter said :
" Say, how did you know that sorrel was going to win ?"
"^Oh, I know everything-," was the suave response, and
the lad went away, leaving the bookmaker greatly mystified.
He always believed afterward that a job had been fixed up
on him.
In this connection another little incident comes to me
that shows the quick repartee of the old-time Southern negro
and at the same time his respectfulness. There was a white
man at the track whom a negro had offended in some way.
It was nothing serious and there was really no reason for
the man's display of violent anger w^hen they met on the
track.
•' I'm going to whip the life out of you," said the white
man. preparing to make good his words.
" Boss," replied the negro, innocently," ef yous is gwine
ter do hit please don't do it on de racetrack. Any whar else
an' I won't say a word."
** Why not on the race track?" asked the man becom-
ing interested in spite of himself.
" Case, said the negro, " on de race track all men air
ekul. Dat is, dar air two place whar day air ekul. One air
on de turf an' de othah air under de turf. So you done see
you cain't hit me heah wif de propah kerspec' ter youse'f."
Of course, this caused a laugh, and the result was that
the man forget his anger, handed the negro a dollar to buy
himself some gin, and they parted the best of friends.
I remember once standing in the grandstand at the
Louisville course, beautiful Churchill Downs. There was
an old negress not far away from me. It was a long time
until the races were to begin, but I had gone there early in
order to see some friends, and I became weary of waiting.
So, as a matter of diversion, I turned my attention to the old
woman.
" Aunty, why are you out here?" I asked. " You are
surely not going to bet away the money you have worked
hard for all winter."
" No, indeedy," was the pompous response. " I wucks
too hard for my money ter gib hit ter er ole gamier. I air
heah for de puppus er seein' my Mose, dat's whut."
"Ah! Your fellow."
" No, hits not my fellar; hit's my boy, Mose.''
" Tell me about him," said I, becoming interested.
123
" Well, you done sees," she said, earnestly, " I alius
knowed dat air boy war gwine termake his mahk even when
he war er little bow-legged thing in my ahms. So when he
growed up to be 'bout ten yeahs ole er gemman comes erlong
an' gets me ter let Mose learn ter ride race horses. I says
all right an' I hain't seed de bressed child sense.
" He's been erway in de East or somewhar wif his
marstah, an' dat boy's been learning ter ride. Yistiddy I
heard dat de stable war come back ter Loosville an' a cullud
gemman whut I knows tells me Mose air air gwine ter ride one
er de bosses in de race. De gemman says dat dis air defust
time dat Mose evah sot on a hoss in er race an' I wants ter
see dat air boy come in ahead. De same culled gemman tells
me dat Mose air on er winnah an' dat he am a very long
shot."
" What stable is it ? " I asked, and she informed me of
the name of the owner. I then looked on the program and
found the very horse in question. Just for luck I placed a
small bet on the horse afterward, and then went over to
where the old woman stood leaning against the railing of the
grandstand. I told her when the horses came to the post
and pointed out the one on which Mose sat. She was de-
lighted and was trembling all over as she watched him, as
proud of that little bunch of ink as any mother in the land.
Finally, the start was made and she became anxious for him
to win.
I stood near and I heard her shout from time to time as
Mose was leading. At the three-quarter she gave a groan of
despair as another horse moved up from the rear and joined
the leader. She thought it was all over. Down the stretch
the two horses sped neck and neck. The old woman was
almost frantic. She waved her hands in the air and shouted
at the top of her voice: " Come on, you Mose ; don't you see
yoah mammy's watchin' you ? ''
Within twenty yards of the wire Mose forged ahead and
won by a neck, but the old woman did not at once under-
stand which had won, and she asked me. When I told her
she let out a yell that shook the rafters. Afterward I
walked down to the scale room, where the boy was, and got
him and brought him up to his mother. It was truly an af-
fecting sight to see her fondle the boy who had just won that
124
race. It would have broken her heart had he lost, and they
mingled their tears in front of 6,000 people.
A gentleman whose ancestors were in the procession
that crossed the Red Sea in the days of Pharoah and Moses
is among my acquaintances. He keeps a clothing store, but
he has sporting blood in him, and there was never a day one
season that he did not come to me and whisper in my ear :
" Haf you anyding goot, mine dear f rient ? " I gave him two
or three tips that I thought well of and he played them and
won. But after a time it became monotonous to have him
haul me out of crowds where I was talking with some gentle-
men and ask the same question. By this time it had got so
that he came to me after every race and wanted informa-
tion. He would often drag me off into dark places, under
the steps or in the recesses. Once he pulled a sandwich out
of his pocket and said suavely:
" Meester Davis, loog whad I have got for you. Vat er
nice santwich. Gif me some tips."
This was the last straw. I resolved to break him then
and there and give him such a jolt that he would never come
near a race track again. Looking over my program, I picked
out a horse that I knew would figure about 200 to i. I was
sure he did not have the slightest chance to win, for the
owner had told me he had been sick and that he was just
putting him in the race for work — that he could not win.
" Morris," said I, " here is a good one, but I want you
to swear that you will not give it to any one else, because we
are going to make one of the grandest killings of the year
with him. It will make us all rich."
He swore by the weeping Rachel and Joseph's coat of
many colors that he would allow himself to be cut into pieces
by wild Indians sooner than divulge the secret.
" Play this horse,'' I whispered, pointing to the name of
the no-account, " and put every cent you can beg, borrow or
steal on him. Soak something, Morris. You must have a
good, big bet down on him."
He thanked me and went away to hustle for money. He
saw every friend he had and borrowed everything he could
possibly get. Then he had quite a roll on him, all of which
he wagered on my selection.
125
I had down a good bet on the favorite, on whom there
really was a tip, and sat waiting for the race to be run. The
favorite was beaten a head. As I sat there, disgusted, I felt
a gentle tap on my shoulder and the well-known voice of
my "Old Man of the Sea" said suavely:
"Meester Davis, how can I thank you? Vill you come
down and have a beer ?" He won so easy, too."
Words fail to actually interpret the thoughts that surged
through my brain.
CHAPTER XIX.
Men I Have Met.
During the more than half a century that I have spent
on the turf I have met many of the most distinguished men
from all sections of the country. They came from the frozen
and sterile North, from the golden hills of the West, the
magnolia-scented groves of the South and from the aristo-
cratic East. I have been in close connection with the most
of those of the present time and was intimately acquainted
with the royalty of turfdom in the olden days.
Beginning away back in the early part of another
century, of course I have seen the friends of my boyhood
slip silently away into the realms of eternity as flowers bloom
and wither. I have seen their sons grow to manhood and
then in turn sink into the arms of the grim reaper under the
fell hand of disease or the weight of years. Father Time
does not touch us all with the same harshness. With me he
has been gentle indeed. Eighty times has my natal day
passed, and now at this writing I am able to walk almost
any distance. I could mount a yearling and break him just
as easily now as I could when I was a boy.
But others whom I loved were not as favored as " the
old veteran." The flowers blossom on their graves, but in
my heart their memory is just as dearly cherished as it was
in the olden days when I walked hand in hand with them in
earthly paths.
Probably the grandest man I ever knew was Col. W. R.
Johnson, sometimes called " the Napoleon of the American
turf," because of his colossal turf ventures, his boldness in
making matches between the celebarted horses of his time,
and through it all characterized by his sterling integrity and
gentleness of deportment. There was perhaps no man in the
whole South and West that stood as high socially and in a
business way. His word was worth more than the bond of
most men. Everybody with whom he came in contact loved
him and had a kind word to say for him. He was a man
among men, and towered as a giant amid a race of giants, for
the men of the South were all big men in heart.
127
He owned such horses as Henry, Boston and Flirtillaj
besides many other celebrities. No man who was ever on
the continent ever owned half so many rarely good ones, and
they took part in all the great races. There was never a
time that his horses were not earning money for him and
defying the other notables of the day. Col. Johnson
breathed his last at the St. Charles Hotel in New Orleans
during the winter of 1849.
John and Robert Stephens were gentlemen of the old
school and owned many great horses. Their home was on
the Jersey Heights in New Jersey. Like Col. Johnson, they
were educated and refined gentlemen, and they were also
great match makers. When they thought they had a horse
in their stable that was good enough to run against some
other one they did not hesitate to match him against the
other. The celebrated Eclipse was in their string when he
beat Henry, and they must have won thousands of dollars
on the victory aside from the stakes of the match.
In a business way the fame of these gentlemen was wide-
spread, and they numbered their friends by the thousands in
all parts of the country. In the Nc^rth, South, East and
West the name of Stephens was held in the greatest respect
and everybody had expressions of admiration for their
daring as turfmen and their gracefulness as gentlemen. The
soul of honor, they had but to tell a man they would take his
bet for any amount, and the latter knew that if he won the
money would be paid at any time he demanded it.
Then there was Major Thomas Doswell, whose home
was at Hanover Junction, near where Henry Clay, the great
commoner, was born. He was the owner of the celebrated
Planet, Fannie Washington, Inspector, by Boston, Nat Pope,
Sarah Washington, the dam of the most of the others, and
many horses that reached the highest pinnacle of equine
fame. I fancy I can see him yet galloping about the track
on his little black horse, giving instructions to his rider at
various points in the race. It he saw the jockey was making
too much pace, he would tell him to slacken it, and if he was
going too slow, he would instruct him to let out a wrap or
two. In this way he helped the boy to ride the race, and
often was the sole cause of a victory for his horses.
128
He was a large planter, had a beautiful home and was
elegant and refined in his manners. He was very wealthy,
and there was not a man connected with the turf, in business,
politics or in the social whirl but was glad and proud to be
able to say that Major Doswell was his friend. When he
died the turf lost a valuable adjunct, but behind him he left
several sons and daughters, and they are all said to inherit
the sterling traits that made the name of the father illustrious.
A little incident relating to Major Doswell occurs to me.
I had been introduced to him at a hotel in New York, and
six years later I again saw him at the Mills House, Charles-
ton, S. C. I was sitting talking to Jerome Edger, a trainer,
and the Major was sitting alone not far away.
'* See that little old gentleman sitting there,'' I said to
Edger. " That is the celebrated Major Doswell, who used
to ride a little black horse around the track and make his
jockey win races. He knows as much about racing as any
man on the turf to-day.''
The little eyes of the Major twinkled, and, addressing
me in a tone that was perfectly audible to all about the
table, he said :
" Young man, you must have been brought up in the
old school or you would not have known about the little
black horse."
We became fast friends at once, and we would have
taken a social drink but for the fact that the Major was not
from Kentucky and did not believe that a little wine is good
for the stomach's sake.
Capt. John Belcher, who lived at the Fairfield race,
track in Virginia, not far from Richmond, was also a cele-
brated trainer and owner, and had many of the famous
horses of his time in his care. He trained Boston for
Col. Johnson, and the great son of Boston Red Eye,
One-eyed Joe, Die Claperton, and a host of other distin-
guished horses. He was a man of the highest standard of
morals, the most loyal of men to his employers and a model
example to a race track. He reared a family, was a kind
and affectionate father, and had the confidence of everybody
who knew him. His descendants still live in old Virginia,
and they are among the most respected residents of the
famous Old Dominion. In that State the name of John
129
Belcher will not soon be forg-otten, and loving hands still
annually place flowers on his last resting place as a mark of
esteem and, love for his memory.
Col. David McDaniel was a native of Ireland and first
turned up as a racing man in North Carolina. In his early
days he was a large trader and made thousands of dollars
in this way. He drifted into Richmond, Va., and made that
place his home. He bought up large properties in Rich-
mond and Broad Rock County, and when he died there
years afterward he left a vast estate. On the track his fame
was widespread. He owned such celebrities as Frank
Allen, Tar River, Carolina, Harry Bassett, Joe Daniels,
Hubbard, and Lida Stanhope. He trained the latter and
owned an interest in the latter famous mare, Harry Bas-
sett brought him the greatest fame, and he was known the
world over as " the owner of Harry Bassett." He trained
and owned the horse at the time he beat the celebrated
Longfellow and trailed the banner of old Kentucky in the
dust.
While not a scholar and a man of the greatest sim-
plicity, he was a shrewd tactician, a bold bettor, with the
nerve of a lion, and a gentleman withal. He was generous
almost to a fault, and no man ever applied to him for
assistance in a worthy cause and went away empty handed.
Many a tear was shed in Virginia when Death laid his icy
hand on the silvered head of David McDaniel.
David Branch was a gentleman of North Carolina of
the highest social prestige and took a deep interest in the
turf. He owned some of the good horses of his day and
wielded a vast influence. Modest to a marked degree, he
did not hold up his talents to the world and carefully
avoided notoriety of any form. He was a leader in spite of
this fact, and his advice was much sought after.
Col. Wade Hampton was a princely gentleman of the
olden time, and his home was at Millward, S. C, five miles
back of Columbia. He was a wealthy planter and a large
importer of horses. He imported Sovereign, Rowton,
Emily and many others that do not occur to my mind at
this moment. On the American turf he was a leader, and
at once came to the front. He bred and owned Monarch,
Fannie and Childe Harold, all of whom attained prominence
130
on the turf. But as a turfman he was admired by every
one, for he did everything in his power to advance the
interests of the turf.
The great Henry Clay once said to me : " I have read
of and known many great men, but I never in my life have
met with and known such a princely gentleman."
Col. Hampton had presented Henry Clay with sev-
eral brood mares. Among them was the celebrated Mar-
garet Woods, the best of all the Priam mares, both as a
performer and a producer. Cassandra nor the Queen was
her equal, and Mr. Clay certainly got a treasure. In fact,
she was the dam of most of the great race horses bred and
owned by John M. Clay.
Col. Matt Singleton was born in South Carolina, in the
Edgefield district, and was a most popular turfman of his
day. He was deeply interested in the turf and imported
Prima Donna and a dozen others. Hero, the sire of Jefif
Davis, was also imported by him. Many of his mares were
sent over the mountains to Kentucky by me, to be bred to
Glencoe, Boston, Wagner and the celebrated stallions of Ken-
tucky. Often he kept his mares there for two years and got
two crops of colts.
Another noted turfman of the time was Maj. Thomas G.
Bacon, from the same place. He was a man possessed of
the confidence of all the people of his State because of his
probity. He had a large stable and bred and bought some
of the best horses of the day. Among them was the cele-
brated Nina, the dam of Planet, Exchequer and others. He
was of a very quiet disposition, yet he was possessed of
nerve of the highest order. An illustration of this was
when he matched Nina againt Red Eye for $10,000 and lost
by a head. She ought to have won the race, and everybody
who witnessed the incident felt that such was the case.
Although he had lost a great sum of money on the event.
Major Bacon simply smiled and seemed to be not in the
least disturbed. For many years he raced from South
Carolina to New York and all over the South. Everybody
liked him and he had a host of friends. It was said jokingly
by the high rollers of the time that it was a pleasure to lose
one's money to so polite a gentleman. He had a pleasant
smile always on his face and never took an unfair advantage
131
of any one. He might always be depended upon as fair and
honorable.
Capt. Crowell, of Georgia, was known all over the
United States as the owner of John Bascom and Gano, and
was a man of great wealth. There probably never was in
the whole turf history of Georgia a man who stood as high
as Capt. Crowell. He matched Gano against Boston once
for $10,000 a side. Two days before the time set for the
race Gano broke down and Capt. Crowell was forced to
pay forfeiture.
On the day the race was to have been run Capt. Crow-
ell and a number of gentlemen were sitting at dinner, and
during a lapse in the conversation Capt. Crowell asked Col.
W. R. Johnson what constituted the modern race horse.
" Speed, sir," was the reply.
"What else?"
" More speed.''
" Then what other essential is there?''
" Still more speed," said Col. Johnson nonchalantly.
Griff Edmondson, of Georgia, was a noted character of
his day. He was always to be found on the race track and
owned several horses. None of them was of especial note.
He was a man of fine character.
Robert Glover came from Augusta, Ga., and was a con-
stant follower of the turf. There was never a race of the
early days that he did not attend. While he never owned a
horse, he was so popular with the owners that two or three
horses were named for him. In sporting matters he stood
high, although he was more of a gambler than a turfman-
Gentlemen cultivated him because of his fine qualities as an
entertainer and his suavity of manner. He had an accurate
knowledge of men and horses of the time and was a perfect
encyclopedia on these subjects. His memory was something
wonderful, and it attracted attention wherever he went.
Judge John Hunter, of Alabama, was the owner of the
celebrated mare Blonde, Mary Consul and a few others of
prominence. It was he that went to Charleston and bought
Highlander for $10,000 from Thomas Puryear. The horse
had never lost a race up to that time. The purchase was
made for the purpose of getting a representative of the State
of Alabama in the State Stake at New Orleans. This race
132
was won by Lexington, who beat Highlander, Le Compte
and Rube. Alabama almost went broke on the race. Judge
Hunter was a distinguished jurist, a man of vast fortune,
and reared a large family. Everybody held him in the high-
est esteem, and when he passed away to the darkness of
eternity both the turf and the State lost an eminent repre-
sentative.
Capt. William Williamson was born in Virginia and
came of the old school. He was interested with Capt. Wm.
Cottrell in the ownership of several great race horses. His
chief claim to attention in the early days was that he was a
member of a famous coterie of choice spirits who were the
life of every race track. They were John York, William
Gardner, Sam'l Hunter and Phil Cox.
Jeff Wells came from Louisiana, and had a vast breeding
establishment near Shreveport. He brought to the world
the celebrated Reel, by imp. Glencoe, out of imp. Gallopade,
by Caton. Reel was the best race mare at all distances in
America at the time. She was one of the best producers
also and gave to the turf Uncle Jeff, Le Compte, Prioress
and Ann Dunn. Prioress went to the British Isles and was
said to be the best race mare in the world by Admiral
Rouse, who saw her lose by a head to Lifeboat in the Czar-
witch, but made a dead heat in the same race for second
place with El Akim. It was run off and Prioress was suc-
cessful. Mr. Wells was a wealthy planter and took a deep
interest in all matters pertaining to the turf. He had a host
of friends and was intense in his loyalty to the South at all
stages of its vicissitudes.
Col. Adam L. Bingaman lived at Natchez, Miss., and
was the scholar of his time in that vicinity. There was
probably no more enthusiastic admirer of the turf than he.
He had a large breeding establishment, and the famous
Lexington was trained at his track for all his great races.
For fifty years he was on the turf and his stables were always
filled with the very best there was in the equine world.
Ben Pryor was Bingaman's trainer.
Col. William J. Minor was known everywhere as "the
scholar of the turf," and lived at Natchez, Miss. He owned
Bnttania, by Muley, the sire of Margrave and Leviathan.
Muley Molok was a full brother of Brittania. She was
133
raced successfully in this country and was of great fame when
she went to the stud, producing Verifier, Voucher, Varona,
La Variation and Van Dyke. There was probably no more
extensive planter in the whole Mississippi Valley, and lie
was held in high esteem by every one. When he went to
England to purchase Brittania he was entertained by many
of the celebrated nobles of the day and was held in equally
high esteem by the Britons.
Major Le Compte was probably the greatest French
turfman of his time, and until the Lorillards came he was
an extensive planter of Louisiana and had a breeding estab-
lishment at Shreveport. As a turfman of the first class of
his day he was held in great respect everywhere. Such
horses as Gallatin, Bob Snell, or the Dutchman, Telee,
and Miss Riddlesworth were in his string and they were all
recognized as celebrities of their time. Ad Small, who was Le
Compte's trainer, was noted all over the South for his ability.
He died at Saratoga, and I was one of the pall bearers at
the funeral.
Once Le Compte said to me of Colonel Minor's Veri-
fier: "Mr. Davis, he can run as fast as the telegraph and
stand driving like a wedge." He said it in broken French,
but I do not feel equal to giving it just as he said it.
Duncan F. Kenner, of Louisiana, was known as " the
old Red Fox of the South." He always represented the
South in all her turf matters, attending the conventions of
the North and South, and always got the lion's share of the
privileges. He was a man of great executive ability, and
was the owner of Gray Medoc, Dart, Humming Bird,
Whale, who was never beaten; Dolphin, Florian, full brother
to Doubloon; Louis d'Or, Ha'penny, Roupee and hundreds
of others too numerous to mention. Mr. Kenner was a
noted planter and a leading man of his day. Before his
death he became the manager of all the canal interests
about New Orleans and was a man of vast enterprise.
Kenner was sent to England to represent the interests of the
Confederacy during the Civil War and did so with marked
ability.
Thomas Patterson was from Tennessee and rubbed
Misfoot, a celebrated mare, the best of her day in America,
when he was but a boy. Then he became a trainer and had
J 34
some wonderful horses in his care. He was certainly a
great horseman, and it is no wonder that he became dis-
tinguished on the turf. No man surpassed him in the art
of feeding and galloping horses. His fame was widespread.
Munck Fowler was a noted jockey from Tennessee.
He rode many great horses and won many good races.
He afterward became a trainer.
William Cheatham was from Nashville and was noted
as a gambler and a turfman. He owned some good horses,
but died early in life. With all his wonderful luck it is
said he died poor.
Gen. W. C. Harding was from Nashville, Tenn., and
owned the Hermitage breeding establishment. He was a
representative turfman of his day, and bred, owned and
sold some of the grand horses of the time. He was a man
of refinement and was the soul of honor on all occasions.
Judge Barry lived at Gallatin, Tenn., and was a turf-
man of some note. He owned the great mare Parasina,
Rosa Clack and many other good ones. He was a brother-
in-law of General Jackson (Old Hickory), and no man knew
more of the pedigrees of early days than he. Colonel
Bruce dedicated his famous stud book to Judge Barry and
held him in high esteem. Ran Barry, his son, owned
Blacklock and was clerk of the court at Gallatin for many
years.
Bailey Payton was also a brother-in-law of Gen. An-
drew Jackson and owned several great horses, but he
devoted more attention to politics. He was a most lovable
man and stood as high as any man in the State in the hearts
of the people.
Colonel Elliot, also from Gallatin, was a noted turfman,
who owned a number of celebrated horses, and was a pro-
moter of the interests of the turf at all times.
Berry Williams, from Sumner County, Tenn., was a
breeder widely known. He was popular and successful.
Captain Franklin, also from Gallatin, bred and reared
many good horses.
Thomas and James Kirkman, from Alabama, were men
of almost fabulous wealth in the early days, and one might
travel half a day up the Alabama River without ceasing to
pass their landed possessions. They owned miles of land.
135
The celebrated Peytona was in their stable. She beat Fash-
ion, the ideal mare of the North, for $20,000 a side. They
also owned Quadrille, Jig, Rory O'Moore and Topaz. On
the American turf of their day they were among the fore-
most men, and everybody who knew them held them in
high esteem. Their trainer was Isaac Van Lear, a very
able man,
Vince Hunter, of Alabama, owned Red Eagle and a
number of other horses. He was a polished gentleman
and came from a most distinguished family.
" Red '' Tom Watson, of Virginia, stood high on the
turf and was noted for his sagacity in making matches.
He owned vast tracts of land and was popular.
"Red" Tom Watson, of Tennessee, was frequently
designated as " the man of cunning." Some people called
him "■ the early bird," because he was always up early in
the morning watching the performances of other men's
horses. His methods were most peculiar, but nothing
unfair was especially found against him, and he was noted
for his shrewdness.
Ottaway P. Hare came from Petersburg, Va., and was
a distinguished turfman. He had one of the clearest heads
and the best judgment of any man on the turf. When he
saw two horses running at the same meeting he could
always lay his money accurately on the winner. He fig-
ured it out by careful observation. Hare owned Andrew-
etta, who beat Boston a heat at Broad Rock, together with
many other distinguished horses. Bostona was in his string
and added materially to his winnings. The people called
him " the old rabbit," because he could take care of himself
against any kind of talent. I regarded him as one of the
finest men with whom I had ever come in contact.
John Minor Botts was a statesman and turfman of Vir-
ginia and was held in high esteem. He was the breeder
of Financier, Revenue and Two Bits. He often acted as
judge at the races and gave general satisfaction.
W. R. Travers, of New York, was one of the most pop-
ular men I ever knew, and he numbered his friends by the
score in both the South and West. No gentleman from
either section could land in New York that he did not try
to locate him and make him his guest. As a wit he was
T36
widely known. One little incident is told of him that comes
to my mind in this connection. It is said that a friend met
him in New York and said :
" Mr. Travers, why is it that you stutter so much more
here in New York than you did in Lexington, Ky. ? "
" Bi-g-g--e-rt-t-to-w-n, " stammered Bill, as he was fa-
miliarly known.
He formerly owned some fine horses with John Hunter,
of Hunter's Point, and gave a bonus to the great Travers
Stakes at Saratoga.
Gov. Odin Bowie, of Maryland, owned Catesby, Abdul
Kadir, Viley, Australine and My Maryland. He was a man
of universal popularity and was elected Governor of the
State two terms.
Frank Hall, of Maryland, was an ardent admirer of the
horse and turf and bred many celebrated horses. His
father was a turfman and he came of a noted race of turf-
men, all of whom were noted for their sagacity in the train-
ing and handling of horses.
Wyndham Walden was a celebrity of Maryland as a
trainer and became noted as a breeder. He was a son of
George Walden, whose brother John rode Eclipse the first
heat in the famous race with Henry. The horses he trained
won in stakes and purses more than e$ 1,000,000. He also
owned Bowling Brook farm, in Maryland. **
George Lorillard was one of the most popular owners
in the State of New York. Everybody loved him in the
South and West. He was a big-hearted gentleman. He
owned Sensation, Ferida, Aella and quite a number of others
equally distinguished. Sensation was correctly named, for
he never was beaten. His brother Pierre was one of the
most enterprising and active turfmen of any age of the
American turf. Lord Beresford was his partner in England,
and no man who ever went to England was so popular with
the British. It was he who took the great Parole, Iroquois
and others to the land on w^hich the sun is never said to set.
They won all the great stakes and Iroquois won the St.
Leger and Derby. Parole distinguished himself by winning
the Metropolitan Handicap, beating Isonomy and other
noted horses.
T37
Coming to Kentucky, the country that has endeared
itself to all turfmen the world over, I think I ought to say
something of Henry Clay, who owned Yorkshire, the son
of Nicholas, who was presented to him by Commodore
Stockton as a mark of respect. While Henry Clay could
not be consistently termed a turfman, through his son, John
M. Clay, he has a claim to distinction on the turf, for it was
he who induced the boy to go into the business of breeding.
Once when the get of Yorkshire were being shown the
great Commoner in the presence of the writer, who was the
rider at the time, Mr. Clay said :
" Gentlemen, with this great promise of the equine
family before you, there is every chance of success. If you
will take into consideration that your enterprise is greater
than your bank accounts, and never underrate your enemy,
you are bound to succeed."
On the day following, Mr. Clay was about to start for
the United States Senate and we were showing him the first
of the get of the horse. He was, of course, interested and
he desired to give us a parting word of advice.
John M. Clay made his debut on the turf in 1847, ^^^
raced such great horses as Kentucky, Daniel Boone, Gilroy,
Princeton, Magic, Coon the Bloody, Zampa. Maria Woods,
Charley Woods, Star Davis, Skedaddle, Sly Boots, Buff
and Blue and Victory. He was the genius of the Clay
family, but he had no desire to distinghish himself. He
died owning one of the best breeding establishments in the
country.
Dr. Edward Warfield lived at The Meadows, north of
the Association Course in Lexington. He bred many high
class horses, including Lexington, the blind hero ; Waxey,
Alice Carneal, Berthune, Buford and many others. He was
a man of wealth and all who knew him loved and respected
him. There was never a better hearted or nobler man on
the face of the earth than Dr. Warfield, and I feel that I can-
not say too much concerning him.
James Shy, of " Shy-won-a-heat fame," was born in
Central Kentucky and lived to a ripe old age. He owned
many fast horses and won some money. Among his horses
were Lady Jackson, who was by Sumpter; Theatrice, who
ran head and head with Jim Bell for seven-eighths of a mile
138
in 1:46, the fastest time then made in Kentucky; Robison,
May Day, Slim Cassar and Dallas. At the close of his
career be became totally blind. For the last ten years of
his life he always had a seat in the judges' stand as a compli-
ment to the veteran turfman. Of course, he could not see
and did not see what was going on; but he took a decided
interest in everything pertaining to the turf, and everbody
tried to do something that would assist in making him happy
in a way.
Major B. G. Thomas was one of the lights of Lexing-
ton and one of the best informed and best liked men in all
the great State of Kentucky. There are few people who
have been more universally known. His first horse was
Monsieur Bertrand, and his next Wandering Willie, trained
by his servant, a negro named Mose, who used to ride Bob
Bruce and Roberson. Lady Taylor fell to him in the course
of a sale, and she proved a wonderfully fast mare, although
she was unfortunate. She produced Derby, by imp. Eclipse.
After the close of the Civil War Major Thomas became
engaged in racing and breeding, producing Hataf, Herzog,
Highflight, Hira, Hinyar, Domino the invincible, and many
others of high class. With his brother Charlie he was re-
ferred to as one of the graces of Kentucky. No one worthy
asked him for a favor and failed to receive it.
James A. Grinstead was born in Kentucky and lived at
Lexington, where he lived all his life, dying there ten or
twelve years ago. He was one of the finest gentlemen
of all that grand section. About 1848 he began racing, and
his first horse was Doubloon, with whom he won many
stakes. Florian, Louis d'Or, Ducatoon, Dime, Lindora, a
full brother to the latter ; Sherrod, Moidore and others.
At the time Mr. Grinstead became engaged in turf
matters he was clerk of the county court. He made money
rapidly and became a banker. At this he also succeeded,
and was at one time a man of great wealth, having mort-
gages on many of the farms about Lexington. After the
war he began to lose money and died with very little prop-
erty.
A. Keene Richards came from Kentucky, having been
born at Georgetown and was educated at the University of
Virginia. He owned several great Arabian sires, which he
139
imported direct from their native deserts. He was a man
of great wealth, having inherited his father's money.
Among the horses he owned was Mock Ladder, Fysall and
others. He was a man of bold enterprise, and bred Co-
lossus, Glicera, Black Rebel, and raced Betty Ward, together
with a large number of others.
Benjamin Keene was a doctor at Georgetown, Ky., and
owned Dazzle, Kate Ward and others. He was a leading
man of his day and was very popular.
Warren Viley was born in Kentucky and owned
Hamburg, Gapitola, the dam of King Alfonso ; Mary
Churchill, Nannie B. and others. John R. Viley, his
brother, bred and owned Goodwood, Myrtle, Glendower,
Viley, Australine and Altevela. Mr. Viley was a very
popular gentleman and a successful business man. He was
as consistent and true a friend as ever lived, and every one
in speaking of him at the present time has a kind word to say.
Junius R. Ward came from Scott County, Ky., and was
one of the leading men of his time. He owned Sallie
Hardin, John O'Gaunt. Alex. Churchill, Lexington, and was
one of the biggest planters in the South. He stood high in
all sections of the country socially.
Gen. Abe Buford was born in Kentucky and made his
home in Woodford County, near Versailles. As a breeder
and turfman it is enough to say that he bred and owned
Enquirer, but he had many other very distinguished horses.
He lived at Bosque Bonita. W. S. Buford, his father,
bred thousands of distinguished horses and sent them all
over the western world.
Ned Blackburn was known as " Uncle Ned." He
lived at or near Midway and owned Blackburn's Whip.
He stood the celebrated Boston and got many of the most
noted horses up to to-day. He also stood many other
splendid sires, including Grey Eagle.
Robert Alexander was also from Kentucky and was
sometimes called " Lord " Alexander, on account of his
almost fabulous wealth. He was a quite, reserved gentle-
man and made no pretensions. Everybody knew and liked
him, and he was held in great respect by all who knew him.
He had a large breeding establishment and bred exten-
sively. Every year he sold a great many yearlings.
140
Among the horses he owned was Lexington, for whom he
gave $15,000.
At that time Lexingon was blind, but Alexander de-
clared at the time that he would sell one of Lexington's colts
for more than he paid for the sire, Norfolk was foaled and
he sold him for $15,001, insisting upon having the extra one
dollar in order to make his boast good. Asteroid, Joe
Daniels, Harry Bassett, Bay Dick, Bay Flower, Bayonet
and Voxholl were also in his string. He was probably one
of the greatest beneficiaries of the American turf that the
world ever knew.
James K. Duke was born in Kentucky and lived there
all his life. He was the ancestor of the great Duke family
of the present time. He was a distinguished breeder and
turfman and was highly educated. In every respect he
was a gentleman, and acted as judge in many of the great
races in Kentucky. He owned Cherry Elliott, Tangent,
Minstrel, Kite, Bonnie Laddie, Bonnie Lassie, Kefh,
Creighton, Blonde, Maroon and other celebrities.
Richard Ten Broeck came from New York, but his
stock interests were all in Kentucky. He was the first
man to take a full string of horses to England, and became
one of the best known breeders and owners in Kentucky.
This stable consisted of Prioress, Prior, Satellite and others.
Felix G. Murphy was born at Bardstown and was fre-
quentl}^ referred to as " the Chesterfield of the American
turf,'' because of his graceful manners. He was associated
with the firm of Hunter, Dooms & Murphy in his stock
interests and owned many good horses. Motto, Fiat,
Hunter's Lexington, Nannie Lewis, Sallie Lewis, Harper,
Susan Bean, dam of Sensation, and others were in their
stable.
Joseph G. Boswell also came from Kentucky and owned
Ludy, Ruffin, Gray Medoc, Bon Ton, Gabriel, Momentilla,
Magenta, Doubloon, Florian, Miss Belle, Ha'penny, Mamona
and others. He was one of the most successful breeders
with the same number of mares that I ever knew.
Robert Holloway is an ambitious and representati\^e
turfman of Kentucky. He is not an extensive breeder, but
he has always figured on the turf and has owned some high-
class horses. He is an unusually quiet gentleman, and few
141
people ever knew that he owned the great horses he was
racing. Always a broad-gauge and public spirited man, he
bought any horse offered for sale without considering the
cost. In Lexington now there is no man whose advice is
more sought after and who stands higher among the peo-
ple. Everybody likes him and he likes everybody, I want
to write on his tombstone, when he is gathered to his fath-
ers and his gentle soul has gone to its rest in the darkness
of eternity : " Here lies a man who was beloved by all who
knew him." He owned many good horses.
Milton Young is one of the most distinguished men in
all Kentucky. He owned the great Hanover and started
out with Bootjack, Bancroft and others, and won nearly all
the cups across the western country. Troubadour was bred
and owned by Mr. Young, but he has bred hundreds of
others that have acquired fame on the turf. He is one of
the fairest and squarest breeders whom I have ever known.
I am proud to call him my friend. There are hundreds of
incidents that I could relate concerning his liberality, and
when the Three Graces bow before him in the land beyond
the sky Charity will take off her crown and bow politely
to the prince of all Kentuckians.
John E. Madden is now one of the representative turf-
men of Kentucky. He owns the famous Hamburg Place
and has vast interests. It is said of Madden that he came
to Lexington with scarcely anything, but by energy and en-
terprise he forged to the front and has owned such notables
as the mighty Hamburg and a host of others. Scarcely a
year has passed recently that Madden has not been able to
bring out a grand horse and sell him for a good price. Mr.
Madden is of Irish parentage, although he came from Penn-
sylvania, that good old Dutch State. He is a man of pow-
erful physique, gentle in his manners when in a good humor,
but a lion when aroused. Concerning his horses he is as
reticent as the private cemetery of a deaf and dumb asylum,
and he is said to give all his horses numbers, so that even
the stable boys do not know the names of the horses they
are exercising. But withal, Mr. Madden is a clever fellow,
whom it is a sincere pleasure to meet.
Price McGrath, known as the Prince of McGrathiana,
was one of the men about Lexington who should not be
142
omitted. Everybody in the Blue Grass capital knew and
respected him. He owned the famous Aristides, the winner
of the first Kentucky Derby ; the invincible Tom Bowline,
Calvin, Mary Ann and other noted horses, among which
was Rhineodine and Endorser. He was noted for his wit
and for the barbecues he gave every year. His hospitality
made him famous. As a man of nerve he was never awed
by the odds on his horses and bet his money without fear.
Capt. Ben. Hutchison, of Missouri, was originally from
Kentucky and was noted as a high-class gentleman. He
owned Laclede, Derb}*, Annie Travis, Ruth, Lilac, Evange-
line, Glendower and others. He had a large breeding estab-
lishment for years in St. Louis County, and was both clever
and highly respected.
Joseph D. Lucas lives in St. Louis County, Mo., and is
quite a noted breeder. He is a grand, good fellow and has
his annual sales, during which time he has sold many fast
ones. He has had remarkable success, and his colts are
known from one end of the country to the other.
Barney Schreiber also has his home in Missouri and is
one of the most noted breeders in all the great State of
Missouri. He owns many high-bred stallions, including
Sain and Bannockburn, whose get are astonishing the
country at the present time by their wonderful speed. Sain
is one of the most grandly bred horses in all the world. Mr.
Schreiber is a clever, honorable gentleman and has the re-
spect of all who know him. He is not afraid to bet his
money and is a progressive gentleman, whom everybody
likes.
James Patton was also from Missouri and bred many
fine horses. The most celebrated of the horses that he bred
was Ethel Gray. Mr. Patton was very popular with all
who had the honor of his acquaintance.
Dr. McAlester owns a breeding establishmeet at Co-
lumbia, Mo., and is a noted breeder. He has several very
fine stallions at his place, and they are every year distin-
guishing themselves on the turf. He is a splendid gentle-
man, and has a host of friends who respect him for his
learning and his kind and gentle manners.
James R. and Foxhall Keene, from New York, are
father and son. Their fame as breeders and owners is wide-
143
spread. They owned Domino, Commando and several other
stallions, together with some noted mares, among them Cap
and Bells, the only American filly that ever won the Eng-
lish Oaks. Their breeding establishment in Kentucky is
one of the most replete with modern conveniences in the
world. Among the celebrated turfmen of to-day there are
no men who stand higher. They are respected for their
probity and enterprise.
William C. Whitney was from New York, but had vast
breeding interests in the heart of the Blue Grass section of
Kentucky. There was no man of modern times who went
into racing on such a colossal scale. It was his ambition to
gather together, not merely the greatest racing stable, but
the best stud in all the world. In both he succeeded, but
unfortunately death came to him just as prospects for the
realization of his greatest hopes were brightest.
Gen. William H. Jackson, one of the most distinguished
breeders on the American turf to-day, owned the famous Bell
Meade, at Nashville, Tenn., where he yearly turned out many
of the great horses that are to be seen on the turf. He made
Belle Meade one of most beautiful places in the world.
The late Theodore Winter's greatest claim to distinc-
tion as breeder was by being the owner of so good a brood
mare as Marion, who threw nothing but good ones from
any horse they bred her to every crack. She produced
several of the best horses ever raised West of the Ohio
river and most of them were by a second Lexington horse
at that. She was one of the best of brood mares, though
rather lowly bred.
Lucky Baldwin has made quite a success in breeding
of thoroughbreds. He has won several Derbies with horses
of his own breeding; for instance, Silver Cloud and Volun-
tary both won the American Derby. Rael Santinita, Gano
and others, all good winners, are to his credit and all were
bred and reared by him at his ranch near Los Angeles,
California.
Mr. James C. Hagin is of world wide renown for hav-
ing the largest breeding plant of thoroughbreds of any man
in the world to date and is equally famous for the great
number of very high class horses he has bred, reared and
sold and dispersed to every part of the land through the
medium of his annual sales.
144
Col. Saunders D. Bruce, of New York, was born in
Kentucky and was one of the best informed men on the
turf. He owned several good horses and attached himself
vitally to the interests of the American turf by the publica-
tion of his famous stud book, now owned and continued by
the Jockey Club. He was descended from one of the purest
lines of Scots, tracing- back to Robert Bruce. A congenial
spirit at all times, clever to almost a fault, highly educated
and refined, his company always was much sought after. I
regarded him as one of the most estimable gentlemen I
ever met. Born on the same street where he was born
and at about the same time, I had an excellent opportunity
to judge his character. We played and romped together
as boys, and 1 hope when I am called away we may be
reunited and sit on the banks of the beautiful river and
talk over old times far into the depths of eternity.
Julius Fleischmann, of Cincinnati, bade fair at one time
to become one of the celebrities of the turf. He is a man
of wealth and once owned the famous Halma, afterward
purchased by W. K. Vanderbilt and placed at the head of
his stud in France, and now one of the distinguished horses
doing public duty in the State of New York.
The Messrs. Churchill, of Churchill Downs, Louisville,
fame, John and Henry, left behind them a name that will
never be forgotten not only in the dark and bloody ground
but all over the United States. They owned some of the
finest horses that ever placed their feet on the bronzed
circle of a race track. Among them might be mentioned
Sir Joseph Hawley, Belle of the Highlands, Little Rufifin,
Ben d'Or, Loftin, Powhattan, Adrain and Miss Bowler.
They were gentlemen of the old school and stood in the
highest rank. Both were men of refinement and had the
confidence of all who knew them at all times in all mat-
ters in which they were in any way connected. They are
descended from Gen. George Rogers Clark, the famous
Indian fighter, and the family is one of the best there is in
the United States.
Col. M. Lewis Clark was probably one of the finest gen-
tlemen connected in any way with the American turf. Al-
ways the superb Beau Brummel of his time, he was grace-
ful in his manners, dressed in the latest style, he had a host
145
of admirers, and there was no race course but was glad to
secure his service as presiding judge. For years he offici-
ated at Churchill Downs, at Louisville, and his decisions
invariably gave satisfaction to all concerned. He was highly
educated and could converse entertainingly on all subjects.
Col. James J. O'Fallon, of St. Louis, Mo., was born in that
city and spent the greater part of his life there. He is a
scholar of the old school, whom it is a pleasure to know.
Col. John O'Fallon, the founder of the great O'Fallon fam-
ily in the West, was his father, and a man who was of un-
bounded popularity. Col. James O'Fallon was a valuable
acquisition to the American turf, and while his racing career
was not a lengthly one it was brilliant to a marked extent,
for he won the most of the great stakes for which he con-
tended. He owned Pat Maloy, Plantaganet, Altevela, Sun-
down, The Banshee, Harry O'Fallon (named for his son),
Kate Ward and others. In his manners he is as gentle as a
lady, and refinement characterizes his every action. A
friend he never forgets and his purse is always open to his
friends or any one in need. I cannot pay a high-toned^ emi-
nent Missourian a higher compliment.
Hiram and Horace Argo are two Tennesseeans, who
have achieved distinction on the turf and in business and
turf and political life. They owned White Nose, a horse
of royal breeding, who raced and won hundreds of races.
Finally he died as a buggy horse in Nashville, but his last
days were spent in the quietude which he had so richly
earned.
Bryan Obear, of Missouri, is one of the turfmen of St.
Louis whom every one feels better to meet and know. He
was the importer of George Frederick, and Bondholder and
Patroclus were among his latest holdings. Some of his
mares were the best bred of their day. Silverdale was once
his property and afterward climed to distinction as the
property of the famous John H. Schorr, of Memphis. Mr.
Obear is a gentleman and a scholar, and I am glad to be able
to speak of him as I do, for there is not a truer friend or a
man more worthy of respect in all this broad land.
John H. Schorr is from Memphis, Tenn., where he has
vast brewing interests. But his chief belongings at the
present time and the ones that are liable to bring him the
146
most lasting fame are his horses. With them he has won the
Memphis Derby, a classic event of the early spring, several
times, and has landed many of the richest stakes and purses
from one end of the country to the other. His son, John H.
Schorr, Jr., is associated with him his racing interests and to-
gether they have one of the most formidable strings in
America, Among the great horses Mr. Schorr has owned
might be mentioned Lieber Karl, Silverdale, Sea Lion and
Endurance By Right.
George Bennett is also of Memphis and is a most esti-
mable gentleman. He is one of the most advanced turfmen
of the day and always has a string of the best quality. His
stable has met the most amazing success, winning many of
the largest stakes all over the country He is a bold oper-
ator both as a bookmaker and an owner. Among the horses
he has owned are Farmer Bennett, Miss Bennett and Dis-
habille, the latter unquestionably the best mare of 1906, and
a host of others. He is yearly bringing to the turf horses
that are hard to beat, and all jockey clubs East and West are
always glad to know that George Bennett is going to
race his horses there.
William McGuigan, of Arkansas, is known as " Um-
brella Bill," because he always carries a large umbrella with
him, whether it is raining or shining. He has trained and
put in selling shape more horses m the early spring time than
any other man living. His idea is to sell his horses as quickly
as possible and then look out for other phenomenons. Ben
Eder, Lady Inez, Bannockburn and a great many other celeb-
rities might be mentioned.
Sam Bryant was known from one end of Kentucky to the
other as a clever gentleman whom everbody liked. He
owned the famous Proctor Knott, Uncle Bob and a great
many who became noted on the turf. Col. Bryant was a
resident of Louisville and had a charming little place oppo-
site Churchill Downs there. A real turfman never went to
Louisville without seeing Col. Bryant, for he was one of the
most entertaining gentlemen to be found anywhere.
John C. Kelly was noted as a rider and trainer as well
as an owner. He lived and died in St. Louis and numbered
his friends by the score wherever he was known. As a rider
he bestrode the celebrated Reel in many of her great races.
147
He owned Monsoon, Legal Tender, Knight of St. Louis,
Greenback and others.
Charles C. Maffitt stood as high as any turfman through-
out the country, and in St. Louis, Mo., he was the idol of the
people of all classes. Everybody had a kind word to say
for him and he had a kind word to say for everybody.
There was not a single evil trait in the make-up of this gen-
tleman. Nature fairly exhausted her resources when she
constructed such a man. He was gentle, loving, thought-
ful of the comfort of others to a marked degree, generous
to almost a fault, and possessed of all the characteristics
that go to make up a perfect gentleman.
As an entertainer he had few equals in the city of St.
Louis, and certainly no superiors. His little levees at the
Fair Grounds were the delight of his friends and they loved
to gather round the festal board where he presided. What
he did was done in a most regal way. In the beginning Mr.
Maffitt had no desire to become a turfman, but his friend Lu-
cas Turner, who was a breeder, had arranged to hold a sale
of horses, and Mr. Maffitt bought a few in order to start the
sale.
There was no man who thought more of his friends than
did Mr. Maffitt, and when he became the possessor of a string
of horses he named the animals after them. One he called
Lucille Manette, after the daughter of Mr. Pierre Chouteau;
another Sir RoUa, after Mr. Rolla Wells, the present Mayor
of the city of St. Louis, who was for years president of the
Fair Grounds Association. It was always the desire of Mr.
Maffitt, after he became identified with the turf, to possess
one of the foremost rank, and he would probably have suc-
ceeded had not the icy hand of the sable messenger of death
been laid upon him, and thus cut short a promising career.
A pretty little incident in connection with this string of
horses is that after old age set its seal on fleet-footed Lucille
Manette Mr. Pierre Chouteau built a stable for her and keeps
her in quiet and comfort as a mark of respect to the memory
of his lamented cousin. This is only given as an illustration
of the sincere affection these two gentlemen had for each
other. But all who knew Charles Maffitt loved him, and
there was many a tear shed when he breathed his last.
148
I ought not to forget the McGibben Bros., of Cynthiana,
Harrison County, Ky., Thomas and James. Their names
are a power in Kentucky, and some of the finest horses on
the turf have stood in their stable. Among them was Spring-
bok, by Australian, out of Hester, who ran a dead heat with
Preakness at Saratoga and made himself famous. It was
probably the greatest cup race ever run in the world. Their
breeding establishment is a splendid one and many splendid
horses first saw the light there. Thomas McGibben has
gone to his reward in the land beyond the skies, but Mr.
James McGibben is alive and respected by all who know
him.
William Barnes is a prominent breeder of Bourbon
County, Ky. He has a large establishment at the present
time and is a turfman of great popularity. Especially has
he always been the favorite of the celebrated firm of Clay &
Woodford, and once they named a horse for him. The
animal was speedy and was sold to Dwyer Brothers for a
large sum.
William Mulkey, of Kansas City, is a gentleman of the
old school, and was associated with the firm of Mulkey &
Avis. They have a large breeding establishment and have
been very successful on the turf. They have interests all
over the country, and race from one ocean to the other and
from the St. Lawrence to the Gulf. No men stand higher
for honorable, fair methods than do Mulkey & Avis. But I
must not forget Oliver Louis, " the sable son of Ham,'' who
sat on the " red horse '' when he went to his victory in the
Derby at Louisville. He is one of the best men on the turf
to-day and everybody has a good word for him. May he
live and die with the same respect entertained for him.
Charles Green, of St. Louis, while not a turfman, is
closely identified with racing. He was the owner of the
beautiful old Association Course at Lexington, Ky., and is
the man who built the great Fair Grounds Track at St.
Louis, Mo. He has never OAvned any horses and has no
breeding interests. Therefore, he was always actuated by
purely patriotic motives toward St. Louis. Mr. Green is a
scholar and came up in the famous Jesuit school, where he
received every educational advantage. In every sense of
the word he is a gentleman, and I am proud to be able to
149
say he is my friend. Any man might also be proud of the
distinction.
Julius S. Walsh is one of the leading men of the entire
South and West, and he is known and liked by everybody.
As president of the great Mississippi Valley Trust Com-
pany, he stands at the head of one of the largest financial
institutions of the country. He has been a director in the
Fair Grounds Association, but he has never had the time to
take an active interest in racing. However, he has always
done what he could to promote the interests of the breeders
of the State and has always been anxious that Missouri
should forge to the front in this respect. A liberal-minded,
big-hearted gentleman in every respect, he is esteemed by
all who know him, and his name will never perish in the
hearts of the people of St. Louis.
Ben Lyons, of Sedalia, is a broad-gauged sportsman in
every particular, and there is probably no man in the State
enjoying a higher reputation for forcibility, fairness and
cool-headedness. He owned Sue Derby, by Derby, out of
Eglantine, and she was a most wonderful animal. Mr.
Lyons was also interested in the great Alvin Adams and a
score of others, including Lottie Lee and Pittsburg. He
has a host of friends wherever he is known, and everybody
has a high regard for him. All the turfmen of the different
parts of the State always like to pass through Sedalia in
order to shake the hand of Ben Lyons.
Col. Samuel S. Brown, the mighty coal king of Pitts-
burg, was one of the foremost turfmen of recent times. For
years he stood as a monument in the South and West and
some of the best horses that ever strode across a race track
have raced in his colors. The principal stallion in his string
was the great Troubadour. Col. Brown was a man of ster-
ling integrity, kind to almost a fault.
Charles Reed, of Gallatin, Tenn., who has a large
breeding establishment there, was one of the foremost turf-
men of the South. He is an enterprising and nervy man,
and when he bid $100,000 for the great St. Blaise and got
him he certainly showed his gameness to a marked extent.
He also owned Thora, by Longfellow, and a host of others
of a high class. Most of the time of Mr. Reed is spent in
New York, where, as a man of great intelligence, honest as
the day is long and a gentleman of the old school, he is be-
loved by all who have the honor of his acquaintance.
W. F. Schulte, president of the great Louisville Jockey
Club, is one of the rising young turfmen of the country.
He has owned several good strings of horses and has raced
from one ocean to the other with marked success. The
most of the horses in his string at the present time are year-
lings and have done nothing, but they are all very promis-
ing and he may have some stake winners in the lot. It is
hoped that he has, for if there is any man who deserves to
meet with success it is Mr. Schulte. In his own town he is
very popular, and the people he has met in other cities all
over the country are always very much impressed with
him.
Barney Schreiber is one of the best-known turfmen in
the great State of Missouri, and there is probably no man
who has done more for the racing interests of the State.
His splendid breeding establishment, known as " Wood-
lands," is located thirteen miles from the city of St. Louis,
in St. Louis County, between Bridgeton and Florissant. It
is complete in every particular, and Col. Schreiber has
spared no expense to make it an equine paradise. The
stables have every convenience and they are palatial in
their appointments.
At present Col. Schreiber has four great stallions in
his stalls and their gets have already distinguished them.
At the head of the stud stands imported Sain, who got Otis,
a prominent candidate for all the great stakes of the coun-
try ; fleet-footed Corrigan and a host of other grand winners.
Then there is Foul Shot, who got many good ones ; Bal-
gowan, a high-class horse himself, and a stallion of much
promise, and Bannockburn, one of whose sons was the two-
year-old sensation of the early 1906 in California.
When the now famous " Woodlands " was started Col.
Schreiber collected the best mares that money could secure.
This was away back in 1895, and since that time he has
clustered about him some of the finest strains that England
and Australia could afford. Sain brings with his get, the
strain of St. Simon and Foul Shot, the blood of the mighty
Musket. This is the blood that is being felt in turf circles
151
to-day, and there is never a race where a Sain colt or filly-
starts when they may be counted as long shots.
Personally, there is no better liked man in all Missouri
than Barney Schreiber. He numbers his acquaintances as
his friends, and they cannot say too much in praise of him.
Of sturdy German parentage, liberal in his views, a follower
of the Golden Rule in all things, a hand that is always ex-
tened for any honest man to grasp, it is not surprising that
he is popular and that he has succeeded. As a bookmaker,
Barney Schreiber is known far and near on the turf, and
everywhere his honesty and fairness is recognized. The
American turf would be better off if there were more men
like Barney Schreiber connected with it. A friend of all
men, all men are his friends.
Before closing this statement of the affairs of beautiful
" Woodlands," I wish to say something concerning the ar-
rangement of the immense breeding establishment. There
are about 200 stalls, all large and commodious, and it takes
a small fortune to keep it going. The private track is one
of the finest in the country and natural advantages make it
very fast. No breeder in the world looks after his stock
farm with more care than does Col. Schreiber, and on his
return from his occasional pilgrimages he is hailed with
welcomes by the good old French people, who constitute
the inhabitants of both Florissant and Bridgeton. If they
could make him President of the United States, he would be
in the executive mansion in less time than it takes him to
record a two-dollar bet on a long shot.
CHAPTER XX.
Some Noted Ringers.
Since there has been racing in America there have been
occasional ringers that have been detected. Of course, there
may have been others that the public wots not of, but the
unfortunate ones who were caught at it are held up as hor-
rible examples.
I think that every State that countenances racing
should have a law passed making ringing obtaining money
by false pretenses and punishable by imprisonment in the
penitentiary. Michigan and Virginia already have such
a law, and the Legislature of New York last year, at the
instance of the State Racing Commission, passed a very
drastic and a very admirable anti-ringing bill, making the
attempt to ring equally as great an offence as the actual
ringing.
Every year there is at least some suspicion of ringing ;
but there have been no notable instances and detections
during the past twelve months, with the possible exception
of the attempt at Jamaica with the horse Freekman, which
was detected in time. I think the idea first came into use
with county fairs, where the strange farmer with the rope
harness would drive in with his burr-covered, ungroomed
old horse and challenge some of the farmers with sleek and
glossy animals to a brush for a hundred or more a side.
Often these alleged rustics would get their horses in a
couple of races and clean up about all that Jasper and Ma
had been saving all summer.
The first case of the kind I ever heard of was a fast
trotter belonging to a man named Howland, who lived in
the Middle West. He was an ugly brute and there was not
the slightest trace of symmetry in his makeup. To look at
him one would figure out that he ought to be able to make
a mile in about six minutes, if pushed hard with the whip.
Then this man owned another horse, as pretty as a pic-
ture. She was the trimmest looking creature that I ever
beheld, and it took a very experienced eye to be able to say
153
that she could not reel off a mile in about 2:20. But this
animal could not have gone around the block and got back
the same day. She was as slow as a snail.
Howland hitched up the old horse one day to a dilapi-
dated wagon and drove over to a town called Charlestown,
in Indiana. Beauty was tied behind. They attracted con-
siderable attraction as he drove into the fair grounds, where
the races were about to begin. Howland tried to get
Beauty into a race, but the farmers would have none of it,
for they considered her too fast for their horses and didn't
care to present the purse to a stranger, preferring to have
it won by a native.
" Let me put in old Nance then," said Howland, point-
ing to the sorry nag in the shafts.
This was agreed to, and then Howland got out a good,
strong, serviceable sulky from the interior of the wagon. It
was muddy and worn in many places, but it was right. When
the time came for the race he hitched his horse up with
ropes and straps, all tied, with no buckles, and in his hand,
as he rode out, he had a small sapling with some of the
branches on the end of it. It looked like a tree. Everybody
laughed, and there was many a jest concerning the old man
and his horse.
Howland had driven over alone, but he had sent his
partner ahead of him, and the latter at this juncture began
to circulate around among the bookmakers and the farmers,
taking every bet he could get on the old nag. Before the
people realized what had happened, he had down about
$200 at odds of from 2 to 3 to i.
It was two in three. Old Nance had no time to lose,
and she went to the front at the last quarter in the first heat
and appeared to be all out. She did not look like she could
make it again, and the confederate had little trouble in get-
ting down some more money. This time old Nance took
the lead from the jump and kept it all the way around to
the wire. Her owner collected and hastened away just in
time to escape a lynching. This man is said to have worked
this scheme all over Indiana at the fairs, and then he went
into Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee, where he found the
farmers equally credulous. Several times he had narrow
escapes from losers who realized what had happened, but
old Nance always carried him out on the road to safety.
154
Probably the greatest race where there was a ringer
was one that occurred some years ago at Latonia. There
was a fast Eastern plater called Tanner, bought by the
Brannon brothers, of Nashville, and by them entered as a
maiden called Polk Badget. They appeared at Latonia with
the bogus Polk and arranged for a killing. In the first race
where he was entered they fairly deluged the pool rooms
all over the country with bets on his chances. The odds
were very large, and the maiden was backed down to almost
odds on.
There was a tremendous amount of money in the ring,
and it was all put down by the Brannons or men in on the
play. Polk Badget went to the post, got started with the
others, and made the bunch resemble a Spanish peseto in
war time. He won all the way as he pleased, and the
Brannons lost no time in collecting as soon as the race was
over. They were afraid they would be caught and they
could afford to take no chances. At first the deception was
not suspected and the Brannons cleaned up about $90,000.
Then some man of a prying mind began to see a resem-
blance between Polk Badget and Tanner. The whole mat-
ter came out, but it was too late to recover and the grand
coupe had been effected.
Just prior to this occurrence the same people are sup-
posed to have worked the Ijouisville Jockey Club and the
bookmakers of the Kentucky city. They may have entered
Tanner as Little Dan, an unknown horse. It was in a purse
race and there was nothing especial in it to beat. Every-
body had heard of Little Dan before, and he had never been
known to win a race or even make a showing. In conse-
quence the odds against him were big.
But they could not keep the secret that they were
going to make a killing, for a little stable boy heard of it
and he told it over at the feed store the morning of the day
when it was to come off. Of course, it was noised about in
that circle of people and the result was that the Brannons
did not get all the profit. The feed store people got down
for several hundred dollars. But the bookmakers were
cleaned up good and strong, and when they learned that
they had been fleeced out of their money they were highly
indignant that any man should be allowed to remain on the
155
turl and be dishonest. So they began a crusade against
the Brannons, but succeeded in doing them no harm.
At East St. Louis Polk Badget ran and it was discov-
ered just after the race that he was the celebrated Tanner.
The money had been paid in bets and it was too late to get
that back, but the exasperated officials seized the horse and
branded him, so that he would forever afterward be known
and that no more deception could be practiced by the wild
Tennesseeans.
Probably the ringer that caused the greatest consterna-
tion in Missouri was Twilight It happened many years
ago, and there was an old-fashioned hog killing on the re-
sult. The horse was a high-class animal, and he was entered
under a name other than his own. No attention was paid
him by any one, and the bookmakers chalked up 15 and 20
to I on his chances. As rapidly as possible the promoters
of the scheme at once lost no time in getting down with all
the money they could raise. Slowly the odds decreased
and the horse went to the post nearly a favorite. Besides,
he was played heavily in the pool rooms all over the coun-
try and perhaps $100,000 was won on this race.
Twilight went to the front at the proper time and can.
tered in an easy winner. Such care was taken with him by
both the jockey and the owner that it was not suspected
that he was a ringer for more than an hour. Then it began
to be whispered about that there was something wrong. So
strong was the suspicion that the judges appointed several
gentlemen to go to the stable and see if this fast horse was
really the despised Twilight. When they arrived at the
stable, where the horse had been kept previously, the stall
was found to be empty, and there was not the slightest
trace of the animal. It was as if the earth had opened and
swallowed him.
But the owners and promoters of the scheme had col-
lected everything there was coming to them and they lost
no time in getting away. The fleet-footed Twilight was
never heard of afterward. He probably became his proper
self and raced afterward, but he was not recognized. That
he was a ringer there is not the slightest doubt.
Little I Am was the next horse of the ringing variety.
He also appeared at St. Louis, having done some work of a
first-class character at several Eastern and Southern tracks.
156
But Little I Am was an unknown horse, who had done
nothing to attract attention anywhere. In the race where
he was entered were several good horses, and they were all
held above him in the betting. The odds were high and the
conspirators got all the money they could on the horse.
The horses went to the post and Little I Am was rated
along in an easy position until the last eighth was reached.
Then his rider called on him and he shot ahead and won
nicely. It did not look suspicious at first, but when the past
record of Little I Am came to be considered it was apparent
that something was wrong. An investigation brought out
the full particulars. The money was all collected on him
and the promoters lost nothing by being caught.
I heard of one other little case while I was in Louis-
ville. A big, burly man kept a livery stable on Jefferson
Street, not far from Sixth. He was full of the shrewdest
kind of tricks and never let an opportunity pass to add to
qis store for a rainy day. One morning a countryman
entered the place leading an old flea-bitten gray horse.
"Mister,'' he said, "I want to sell this horse. To be
honest with you, I see he is failing and I want to get rid of
him. You sell him for me and take the ten per cent, com-
mission. Just take whatever you can get.''
At noon that day the man returned and was told that
the horse had brought ten dollars. The stableman kept
one dollar for having made the sale and turned the other
nine dollars over to the countryman. As the man started
to leave a nephew of the stableman invited him to go into
a saloon nearby and get a drink. The farmer consented,
having had a slight acquaintance with the stableman and
his brother. During the course of the conversation they
had over the bar the nephew learned that the countryman
was going to purchase another horse before he left for
home. He managed to telephone this fact to his uncle, and
about an hour later, after they had taken a half dozen
drinks, they returned to the stable. There the rustic made
known to the man that he desired to purchase a horse. At
once a beautiful black was led out and $25 was asked for
him. The rustic thought this was too high, and finally the
stableman consented to take $20. This was considered
satisfactory and the money was paid over. The country-
man returned home with his new purchase.
157
The next day it just poured down rain, and after din-
ner the farmer went out into the yard, where he had left
his new and beautiful black, and there stood the old flea-
bitten gray. The stableman had dyed him and sold him
back to his former owner. He had not time to do a good
job of work and used plain lampblack, which the rain
washed off.
This is said to be the actual truth, and the man about
whom it is told is now one of the leading business men of
the city. He is as well known in Louisville at this time as
the Mayor of the city. I think the black horse was a
ringer.
CHAPTER XXI.
Training: fof a Race.
There is a tendency toward returning to long distances,
and a happy and encouraging fact this is, though it is not
receiving that attention from the public breeder to which it
is entitled. The private breeder, however, is blazing the
way, and racing associations, by offering large rewards for
supremacy in such events, are rapidly compelling acqui-
escence in the plan. It is popular also, for nine men out of ten
would rather see a good long race, where the horses pass
the stand as many times as possible, than a short dash, where
one is hardly interested until it is over. In the olden times
there was the greatest excitement, because it took some time
for the contests to be completed and because there was an
additional interest in watching the struggle of one horse for
the supremacy over the other.
It is just the same as in a card game. If it were all
over by the turn of a single card, no one would care to play
whist, and thus this fashionable and highly interesting pas-
time would fade and die. It takes time to produce the ex-
citement that is attractive to anybody but one who has
simply gone to the track for speculative purposes. The
man who really loves the sport because it illustrates the
glory of the horse wants to see the actual racing and just
as much of actual contest as is possible.
The olden time sportsmen cared comparatively little for
the money to be won. He enjo)^ed seeing a race and he
was not in the least actuated by sordid motives. William
Walker, who rode Ten Broeck in his famous race with
MoUie McCarthy, once told the writer concerning Mr. Har-
per, the owner of the horse he bestrode and piloted to vic-
tory, that Mr. Harper did not bet a cent on the race and
never bet on any of the races where his horses were en-
tered. He said the glory of winning was sufficient for him.
Mr. Harper was a horseman of the old school and was loved
and respected because of his fairness and devotion to the
sport.
159
But this is a diversion. What I started out to tell the
people of the present time was how a man trained a horse
for a heat race when it was necessary for a trainer to thor-
oughly understand his business. I do not mean to say that
the trainers of the present time are not good men, but I de-
sire to convey the impression that they are wedded to short
distances and that there are not many of them who would
know how to exactly go about fitting a race horse for a long-
distance race. Of course, there are a few, and they are
good men, who have had experience in that line. The same
methods are not used in the new school as were used by
those of the old. But in the event of a return to the long
distances it will be absolutely necessary for the trainers of
to-day to inform themselves on the very matters which I
am discussing here.
We will take, for example, the case of a trainer taking
one horse to train lor a stake event that is four months off.
Let us assume the horse to start in this race has just been
taken up out of the pasture. He is brought to the track or
training quarters, and the first care of the trainer must be to
see that the stall is comfortable. It must have plenty of
ventilation and there must be a nice window in it. This win-
dow must be sufficiently high to prevent a draught on the
horse, so as not to give him a cold or bring on any disease
resultant therefrom. Everything must be clean and there
must be no ill aroma, for this is a disease producer as well
as any other cause. This horse must be handled as carefully
as a child.
The first day, upon arriving at the training quarters, the
horse may be walked about the track. It may be at a time
when there are flies, or his feet may need protection to pre-
vent them from becoming injured by stamping or anything
of that order. Therefore, on the second day he should be
shod. Now, this is not always the case, for his feet may not
be in such a condition as to require it then, but it should
not be long until this is done.
You have now provided comfortable quarters and seen
to your horse's feet. These are the salient points up to this
time, and your horse is ready for training. If he comes in
from the pasture very gross or big in flesh, he should not eat
over ten quarts of solid grain per day, one-third of it corn.
i6o
In the absence of grass, corn is the natural laxative. At
least two days in the week he should have a mash at noon,
say Tuesdays and Fridays. The mashes should always be
cooked. It is frequently the case at the present time that
cold ones are served, and they often produce colic. One
might go on for twelve months and not have an accident
from this cause, but in the thirteenth month he would go to
his stable some morning and find his horse dead in the stall.
Instead of feeding the mash at night, it should be given at
noon, so the horse may show the effects in the daytime.
Walk the horse the first week, giving him short trots
occasionally to accustom him to the work. Pursue the same
course the second weak, but you may gallop him if he is
getting along nicely. Then when you send him out for the
third week you may give him a mile and a quarter gal-
lop, and then walk him a half mile. Give him another mile
and a quarter, and then walk him about until he is rested.
Take him back to the stable and have him rubbed down
gently, in order to close the pores of the skin, which have
been opened by the exertion. In this respect he is just like
a human being. A man always feels refreshed after toil
by a good rub down, and it is so with a horse.
By this time he is getting pretty well along. If he is
very gross, he should be given a two-mile gallop, walked a
half mile and given another one of two miles. At this time
his feed should be increased to twelve quarts of solid grain
per day. But if he is not gross, the distance should not be
increased to over a mile and one-half. This refers to a deli-
cate horse.
The latter animal should be taught to eat as much as
possible, in order to increase his strength and vitality. If
the bowels are too loose, cut off the mashes for a time; but if
the animal is inclined to constipation, they should be kept up.
By this time, if there has been nothing of a nature that has
affected the horse's condition, you may begin to move him
along at the rate of 30 seconds to the quarter two days in
the week. With such a horse there should be no change
made until the end of the sixth week. Of course, you must
be governed by circumstances.
If the track is good and the weather favorable, you may
work the horse at a two-minute gait for half a mile. This
i6i
should be done twice a week and kept up until the eighth
week. There are yet two months in which to get him ready
for the great race in which he is entered. He has got along
nicely until this time, and there is no change in his condition.
Even if the horse is perfectly healthy and still is gross,
he should have a ball, which will loosen him up and cool
him off, as well as act as a tonic. During the twenty-four
hours preceding the giving of the medicine at least two
mashes should be given. This prepares him to receive the
ball.
A ball consists of five drachms of fresh Barbados aloes,
one drachm of calomel, half drachm of rhubarb, half drachm
of ginger, mixed and worked into a ball or pill. Roll it in a
little flour, so it will not stick to the hands, and in the event
there is no veterinary near, it is always best to insert a ball-
ing iron, so the horse cannot bite you. Be sure to get the
ball back of the tongue, holding the tongue with the left
hand. Release the tongue and down goes the ball.
This operation should be done at eight o'clock in the
morning, and the horse should be placed in a stall with a
muzzle on, to prevent his eating. At eight o'clock the next
morning the horse should show some symptoms of its act-
ing. In the case there is no evidence of its acting, the horse
should be walked or trotted to bring about such an action.
After the medicine shows its effects, begin to check him.
The idea is to get the medicine properly diffused into the
system. Feed him some dry hay or oats. Often a horse
will eat hay when he will not eat anything else. It is just
as important to get the medicine out of a horse as it is to
get it into him. The idea is not to purge a horse violently,
for it may make him sick for six months at a time. Careless
and incompetent trainers will bring about this state of af-
fairs nine times out of ten, and they should not attempt it
unless they know just what they are doing.
For forty-eight hours after the medicine has been ad-
ministered and the purging has stopped, the horse should
be kept in a stall where the temperature is even, so he will
not take cold and become weakened in any manner. Then
he should begin to eat regularly again.
At first, upon taking him out on the track, he should be
simply walked around for a few days and then gradually
l62
put to work until he gets back to his two-mile canters again.
He is now a horse in perfect condition, and there will be no
further trouble with him if he is cared for properly. Go on
as before carefully for another week. Then let him move a
fast quarter — say, about thirty seconds. At the end of this
week send him along for a half mile in about :58, and one
week later breeze him along at the rate of a mile in two
minutes. Do this twice a week.
Five weeks remain in which to prepare for the race.
Gallop him two miles and repeat each day, making him do
the last mile in about two minutes.
Four weeks remain. Work him again in about 1:50 in
order to tighten him up. There are three weeks. Give
him a mile and a quarter in as good as 2:15 or thereabouts.
If this is done on Monday or Tuesday, he should be given a
mile in 1:50 live days later. Two weeks remain. Send him
a couple of miles on Monday in 3:50. The latter part of the
week send him down a mile in 1:45. Plate him at this junc-
ture, and send him with company, if possible, whatever the
distance is, in about as fast time as he will go of his own vo-
lition. Four days later (he has but two days left) give him
another two miles well within himself, not pushing him.
He is now fit and ready to run his first race of the sea-
son. The usual gallops may be given the last two days.
Early in the morning on the day of the race he should be
moved a quarter or an eighth with some horse as a test to
show whether he had retained his speed with all this work.
If he is cheerful, feeds and shows the proper example in
the stable, he may be pronounced fit to race.
This method is not infallible, for the horse may be a dif-
ferent one than I have described. A wholly different treat-
ment is needed where the animal is delicate and not strong
and hardy. There can be no special mode of treatment
given for the care of any horse, for he may be of a different
temperament. Then another horse may not need one-fourth
of this treatment to get him in condition. This is something
that the level-headedness of the trainer must determine.
CHAPTER XXIL
How to Treat a Horse.
Veterinary Hints from the Pen of a Man Who Has Used Them
in All His Practice for Sixty Years.
Among the most virulent and fatal diseases indiginous
to this climate and also the most obstinate to treat come
under the heads of glanders and farcy.
I speak of these difficulties mainly to enable the trainer
or any farmer to detect the symptoms and prevent their
spread, as they are extremely contagious for both man and
horse. TJiey are incurable.
To guard against the possibility of danger, when a case
is suspected, the only safe way is to at once either isolate or
destroy the animal. I depend mainly for the explanation
of these diseases upon several old authors. They fully
agree with the statements of modern authors that it is prac-
tically useless to tamper with the glanders. Farcy, in its
early stages, can be controlled without difficulty, but the
powerful medicine that it is necessary to use impairs the
constitution. In addition, the disease is liable to break out
again or develop glanders. Distinctive symptoms which
glanders present may be slow in their development, and
may continue for years before they are well defined, during
which time the horse may feed and work well. But chronic
glanders may finally become apparent.
On the other hand, they may run on for two or three
weeks very rapidly and make their positive presence known
by well defined marks. These cases soon come to a fatal
termination.
When it is called acute glanders the coat becomes
rough and starring. The animal is usually hide-bound, the
belly drawn up, constitutional disturbances exist, pulse
easily excited, membrane lining of nostrils of a leaden hue,
glands inside lower jaw where pulse is felt enlarged, hard
and nodular, like a mass of peas or beans, especially on the
side from which the discharge takes place — usually the left,
**
164
but sometimes the right, or even from both ; discharge is
clear and watery at first, becoming thicker and sticky,
accumulating around the nostrils ; cough may be present,
but is not an invariable symptom ; as the disease advances
the discharge increases, becomes purulent, sometimes mixed
with streaks of blood ; it is of a heavy specific gravity, and
if dropped into water it sinks to the bottom at once ; it has
a very effusive smell ; the gland on the affected side adheres
to the side of the jaw ; ulcerating tubercules form on the
nostrils, which have a mouse-eaten appearance, being raised
and irregular at the edges and depressed in the center ;
they run into patches and spread over the whole nasal sep-
tum ; weakness and emaciation set in ; the ulceration in
some cases extends to the cartilages, and even the bones are
sometimes implicated ; occasional bleedings ensue.
This disease and farcy may be termed one and the same
after certain stages present themselves in farcy, and both
are very contagious. Farcy should be promptly treated in
its early stages.
Pink-Eye. — The symptoms are shown in a staggering
gait, hanging head, shivering as from cold, loss of appetite,
watery discharge from the eyes, one eye generally closed,
especially the left one, pulse quickened and weak — from 50
to 60 per minute, breathing hurried, temperature from 104
to 106, bowels bound, urine scanty, pinkish color of mucus
member of the eyelids always present in this disease.
Treatment. — i ounce carbonate ammonia.
2 ounces cinchona bark, powdered.
y^ ounce nux vomica.
2 drachms digitalis leaves.
3 ounces gentian root.
Mix and make into eight balls. Give all the water the
horse will drink, to which add, say, an ounce of saltpetre.
Balls should be used after the second day, giving two per
day, one morning and the other at night before feeding.
The animal should have gentle exercise for a half hour both
morning and night and should be in a warm, comfortable,
well-ventilated stable. No draught should be permitted to
come directly on the horse. Give reasonable quantity of
nutritious food. Be sure and keep the bowels consistently
open at all times. This treatment usually insures a cure.
i65
Cough or Chronic Cough. — Put into alcohol all the
tar it will cut. Add one-third in quantity belladonna (tinc-
ture). Dose, from one to two teaspoonfuls once or twice a
day. Another simple remedy which will sometimes work
very nicely is fluid extract of belladonna, lo to 15 drops, in
tablespoonful of water on the tongue three or four times a
day. If there is swelling of the glands of the neck, rub on
a sharp stimulant or mild blister. The writer has used this
very successfully, and in sudden attacks I mainly rely upon
this treatment for allaying the coughing.
Laminitis or Founder. — This disease may be de-
scribed as simply congestion or inflammation of the feet. It
may be severe or moderate, according to the degree of
disturbance. If inflammation runs high and is allowed to
continue, it is liable to produce so much disorganization as
to cause loss of the hoof. This, however, rarely ever hap-
pens. It produces so much change in the structure of the
horse as to make him ultimately stiff and sore and practi-
cally worthless except for slow, easy work. There are two
stages of this disease, acute and chronic. The first pro-
duces a high state of excitement and inflammation of the
sensitive lamina and more or less of the internal structure
of the foot generally. The second stage develops a morbid
or insensitive feeling of the parts generally. The first can
be invariably cured if properly treated, which is not dif-
ficult. The second stage may be palliated or partially
relieved, but can never be cured. The treatment is simple
and very effective. Put warm applications to the feet in
the nature of poultices or water as hot as can be borne
without scalding the animal. If possible, put him into a tub,
so the water may reach up to the knees. Place a man on
each side with a sponge or rag and let them bathe well the
entire arm of the horse, while the feet get the benefit of
the bath standing in the bucket or tub. The latter is
always preferable, because it has greater capacity to hold
water and is stronger to support the horse. A« little chafif
or straw thrown in the bottom of the tub for the animal to
place his tender feet upon while being bathed is a good idea.
In the meantime there should be some embrocation or
liniment rubbed over or into the shoulders and along the
i66
back and spine. As soon as this is done (gently), in case
the weather should be cold, windy or otherwise inclement,
a blanket or enough covering of some kind to guard against
chilling should be placed on the horse and fastened with
skewers or any other device that will hold it in proper
place.
We suppose the animal, by this time, to have been in
the hot bath one and one-half hours. If it has been impos-
sible to secure hot water, then hot poultices may be used.
But if neither of these are obtainable, place the horse in a
pond belly deep. Let him stand there two or three hours
in the soft mud and water, so as to help allay the inflammation.
After leaving the pond take the horse to the nearest place
where hot water and poultices can be found. The poul-
tices should be made of turnips, flaxseed meal, or well-
scalded bran, applied to the feet well up to the pasterns by
means of sacks, heavy rags or boots made especially for that
purpose. It is understood that the poultices must not be
permitted to become dry. Lukewarm water should be
applied to the feet and bag or boot, so as to keek up plenty
of moisture. If allowed to dry out, this would increase the
inflammation and thereby prove a detriment. On leaving
the pond or tub of hot water the horse should be placed in
a well-ventilated though comfortable stable and the lance
should be applied to what is usually called the plate vein,
which comes down on the inside of the foreleg. This
artery should be lanced just above the knee in both fore-
legs and at least one quart of blood taken from each leg.
After this the finger or thumb may be placed tight against
the orifice or cut made with the lance, so as to coagulate
the blood and check the bleeding. Bandages, if convenient
to get, should be applied as high up the leg as can be gotten,
as an artificial support. A good, clean bed of straw should
be spread under him. A full-habited or gluttonous horse
should be given three or four carrots or one quart of oats
with one and a half quarts of bran well scalded and mixed
together to eat. Then a well-ventilated muzzle should be
placed on the horse to guard against his eating new or clean
straw. Nothing is more likely to stiffen or founder a horse
than overloading the stomach with newly threshed rye or
wheat straw. The next essential is rest and perfect quiet,
167
that the animal may lie down, if he will, so as to relieve the
forelegs of all the weight possible. When he rises to his
feet again — say within two or three hours — and by his
actions expresses that he is suffering great pain, he should
be given two or three drachms of powdered opium or five
or ten grains of morphine. If available, one or two grains
of morphine should be injected under the skin, as there is
nothing that so tells on a horse's strength as excessive pain.
If the bowels should show in the least undue dryness or a
tendency to constipation, a mild cathartic should be ad-
ministered— five drachms Barbados aloes, one drachm of
ginger, enough bar soap to make a mass ; make into a ball
and give quietly, so as not to irritate the patient. From the
beginning of the treatment administer from 8 to 10 drops of
aconite every half hour for lour or five hours. In cases
where there is much inflammation I have never found any
treatment to equal it, and I have treated successfully many
bad cases of laminitis and founder with this method. In
high fever all of the gruel and water the animal will drink
and a sufficient quantit}^ of wet mashes and carrots or green
stuff (grass) to keep up vitality should be given. A little
solid grain should be given, which will assist nature to
resist all maladies and enables her to react against them.
Exhaustion means a want of vitality, and both man and
beast often go down to the grave because they too often get
too much medicine and not enough nutrition in the way o'
food. They sometimes die from sheer weakness.
Catarrh or Cold in the Head. — This is an affection
of the lining of the membranes of the nasal chambers and
cavities of the head. It consists in a congested or inflamed
state of that membrane, giving rise to a glistening discharge
from one or both nostrils. When the head of the windpipe
or larynx is implicated, accompanied with cough, well-
defined symptoms of catarrh are manifested. The majority
of young horses under five years of age may be said to be
predisposed to this affection. The exciting causes are
sudden variations in the temperature, undue exposure to
cold when an animal is in a heated state, especially after a
hard day's work or drive or standing in badly ventilated
stables or any place where the animal is exposed to cold
i68
draughts. Perhaps the most common cause of catarrh in
young horses is placing them in warm stables in the fall
immediately upon taking them off the pastures. The sud-
den change from a cold to a hot temperature is more likely
to cause catarrh than a change from a hot to a cold stable.
Symptoms. — If the horse is standing in the stable, he
will appear dull and mopish, inclined to hang his head in
the manger ; the mouth is hot and the pulse quickened and
weak ; the coat begins to be starring and the lining mem-
brane of the nose is reddened ; if the larynx is involved,
light pressure on that region will cause coughing. This is
the congestive stage. It will soon pass off and exudation
take place from the vessels, causing a discharge from the
nostrils, at first watery and gradually becoming thicker and
of a yellowish hue. In some instances this matter becomes
pent up within the sinusses of the head, and comes away
every three or four hours in quantities. A watery discharge
from the eyes is often an accompaniment of catarrh. Should
these symptoms become aggravated the appetite is impaired,
the bowels costive and the foeces passed are of a clayey
nature, legs and ears cold, breathing accelerated. Catarrh,
if improperly treated or neglected by keeping the animal
at work, having constantly changing temperatures, is very
apt to descend to the chest and prove a prolific source for
more formidable diseases, such as pneumonia, pleurisy,
bronchitis.
Treatment. — Keep the bowels open, feed carrots and
mashes, use counter-irritation of the larynx with mustard,
keep throat wrapped up with a blanket or something else,
so as to break off the cold from the thorax, give all the luke-
warm water or scalded gruel made of meal mixed in water.
Then give internally two drachms of belladonna and one
ounce of chlorate of potash, with a sufficient quantity of
honey, to be made into the form of an electuary and applied
with a spoon to the back of the tongue ; also put one-half
ounce chlorate of potash into a bucket of water and keep it
before the animal, that he may drink of it when he desires
to do so.
Strangles or Distemper. — This disease is akin to
catarrh, as both are creatures of the same causes. Both
169
may be brought on by the animal being subjected to ex-
posure to sudden changes of temperatures — from dry to
damp and from hot to cold. The disease differs from catarrh,
because it most frequently attacks young horses, generally
from two to five years old. It seems to be nature's design
to throw some poisonous matter from the system, and the
treatment should be that which will assist the animal best
and most readily in doing so. The vitality should be as-
sisted, therefore, by feeding nutritious food, in the nature
of vegetables and bran mashes, keeping the bowels open
and strengthening the animal at the same time. This dis-
ease occurs most often in springtime, and shows itself dur-
ing damp, cold weather, in radical changes of temperature
or when horses are being changed from one locality to
another, as from the country out of a pasture, where there
is plenty of pure, cool, healthy air, to which they have be-
come acclimated, and placed in a hot stable in the city. It
rarely ever fails to bring on a violent attack of catarrh and
distemper, and sometimes pneumonia also.
Trcatviejtt. — Provide a well-ventilated stable, clothe
warmly, rub and bandage the legs with good, warm flannel,
use freely a poultice made of warm water, bran and vinegar,
to be applied to the throat so as to encourage a free dis-
charge of puss. In an hour apply again.
To Treat a Curb. — Grease with lard from the curb spot
to the hoof after applying the blister and daily as long as it
discharges. It should run freely for 36 or 48 hours. It
will remove the lump in a scab from the curb. Muzzle
horse till blister is stopped. Stop the blister and dress it
daily afterward with sweet oil or lard. The horse should
not be worked till the swelling leaves the legs.
Blood OR Bog Spavin. — Wet the part well with acetic
acid, rub in slightly with bare hand. Moisture like dew
should come from it in three minutes. If it does not sweat
this way, apply once daily until it does so. Apply afterward
once a week until cured. Turn the animal out and let him
exercise in a lot or field. Severe exercise should be avoided.
Feed moderately.
Spasm of the Diaphragm or Colic. — This is gener-
ally provoked by the heedlessness of the rider. A horse is
overmarked, as the condition is technically called, when the
animal is urged onward to the point of falling. The person
who may occupy the saddle becomes conscious of a strange
and loud noise coming from tne body which he bestrides.
It appears to the equestrian as though some demon were
located within the carcase and was violently striking the
sides. Should the indication be observed the noise will be
found to proceed from behind or immediately under the
rider. This noise is produced by a spasm of the diaphragm.
The horse must, as the word overmarked seems to imply,
have been pushed far beyond the point where man should
have pulled the reins a little distance further back. After
the symptoms are developed they will bring the animal to
the ground. Stop him immediately. The rider should dis-
mount. The loins should be covered with the rider's coat,
if nothing better be at hand. The rider who has caused
the misery is bound to make any sacrifice for its alleviation.
The girths should be loosened, the bridle removed, and,
when time has passed for the s)-stem to become slightly
tranquilized, the animal should be led gently to the nearest
shelter. So soon as it is under cover the following drink
should be administered, but time should be taken to give
the medicine, as the condition of the horse forbids all
haste :
Sulphuric ether, 2 ounces.
Tincture of camphor, yi ounce.
Opium (tincture), i ounce.
Cold water or gruel, i pint.
This should be repeated every quarter of an hour till
four drinks are swallowed. Then the intervals should be
lengthened to half an hour, and as the symptoms decrease
the medicine ought to be administered at still longer peri-
ods, and ultimately but graduallv withdrawn. There are,
however, other things to be done. When the animal is first
brought in get two assistants ; give two leg bandages to
each of the helpers, together with a sponge and a basin of
cold water. The four legs should be bandaged and the
mouth sponged out, also nose, eyes and anas. The horse
should not be excited in the least and the work should be
performed very quietly. This done, if the ears are cold
they should be pulled and the head rubbed slightly, in order
to bring up circulation. Clothing should be put on — hood
171
and body clothing. Wet swabs should then be placed on
the feet and a pail of gruel suspended from the manger.
Spasm of the diaphragm, if taken in time, is not gen-
erally fatal, and no man, however determined a Nimrod
he may be, is justified in proceeding after having recognized
so mysterious a warning. The sound before alluded to
must emphatically inform the rider that all is not right with
the animal on which he is seated. When spasm of the dia-
phragm terminates fatally, approaching dissolution is an-
nounced by easily recognized signs. The pulse cannot be
felt under the jaw ; the heart only flutters, instead of beat-
ing regularly ; the feet are icy cold, a yellow discharge
drains from the nostrils, breath becomes fetid, pupil of the
eye enlarges, the horse wanders round and round its box
and soon sinks and perishes.
Typhoid Pneumonia. — This cause is mainly attributed
to those influences which interfere with the general health
and vigor of the animal — overcrowding, improper ventila-
tion, confinement in damp, filthy stables, drinking bad water
which holds in solution decomposing organic matter, in-
sufficient nourishment and undue exposure, together with
what may be termed general atmospheric cause.
Symptoms. — The horse is off his feed, disinclination to
move, appetite gone, pulse weak and low, will sometimes
eat a little, but will not lie down, stands hanging his head,
is listless and stupid, not much cough, rarely any discolora-
tion of the membrane of the nose or eyes, urine scanty and
high colored, foeces hard and coated. After two or three
days the membranes of the nose and eyes become a little dis
colored or red, the pulse becomes quicker — sixty-five to
seventy, breathes quicker. About the fourth or fifth day
there is usually a discharge from the nostrils of brackish,
bran-colored cerum.
Treatment. — As the word typhoid means low, it is
necessary to watch it carefully in that stage, which will last,
as described in " Symptoms," the first four or five days. In
many cases the pulse will run down to thirty. Stimulants
should be used at this stage, such as a little brandy and
water or whisky and water. A gill or two of the stimulant
should be given as a drench, or, what is better, take carbo-
172
nate of ammonia from one to two drachms, powdered ginger
root from one to two drachms ; made into a ball with honey
or molasses ; administer twice a day. It is to be remem-
bered that this treatment is to be used only in the low stage
of the disease. If the pulse rises to fifty or sixty on the fifth
or sixth day, then the patient should be treated as if for
pleurisy and fever medicines used. Under this latter treat-
ment the pulse will subside and resume its natural number
of beats (40). In this form of the disease the horse is ex-
tremely prostrated at first, the whole system being inactive.
At first the pulse may run up to seventy or eighty. The
horse should be kept moderately warm, the head, neck and
extremities clothed well ; should have well ventilated stall,
with no draught on him ; keep bowels open by injections ;
give plenty water, but be sure to take the chill air off it by
putting a few quarts of warm water into the bucket of cold
water, with a little of nitrate of potash, as directed in pneu-
monia. Nurse the horse with anything he will eat — an
apple, carrot, a handful of wet hay, a little warm grass or
anything he will eat of an alterative nature. Be sure for
lour or five days to let him have all the quiet and rest pos-
sible, after which all will be well. Do not put him to
hard labor of any kind too soon for fear of a relapse brought
on by enervation or weakness.
Worms. — Since there are thousands of good horses
whose health becomes impaired when worms accumulate
in large number in their systems, one cannot be too careful
in his examination of the causes why his horse does not look
or do well. He gives the animal plenty of good, nutritious
food and he eats, but the hair stares, his foeces becomes dry,
belly tucks up, and he neither gains flesh or otherwise does
well. These symptoms generally indicate worms, which live
in the horse by sucking up the nutrition of his food, inter-
fering with and sometimes demoralizing the gastric juices,
also greatly depleting the sugary quality of the bile (called
kime). When this takes place necessarily bad digestion
must follow, then weakness, a rough coat and bad general
health. Unless timely vermifuges are given, with other
purgative medicine, of which I give a list that are almost in-
fallible for eradicating worms and producing a reaction for
173
the betterment of the horse's condition, I recommend the
following
Treatment — Which I have used for many years with
great satisfaction: Mash the horse with well-scalded bran
mashes for two feeds; then at nighttime give him one powder
for three successive nights made into the following combi-
nation, but divided into three equal parts (one to be given
each night): 3 drachms of English calomel and one drachm
tartar emetic. This is to be followed in twenty-four hours
by a good purging ball made of five drachms Barbados
aloes, two drachms of ginger, one drachm of rhubarb, mixed
with molasses and flax seed, meal or flour. After the medi-
cine begins to work let the horse remain quiet in a comfort-
able stall, and examine the foeces to see if the worms are be-
ing carried off. Then after eight or ten stools have passed
off small quantities of food may be given, together with
reasonable quantities of tepid water. This treatment never
fails to get rid of worms and improve the general health of
the horse. I have practiced it for more than forty years.
(The Old Veteran Himself.)
To Blister a Curb. — Put one hundred grains of finely
powdered corrosive sublimate in a one-half ounce bottle of
alcohol and let it remains till it dissolves. Shave the hair
off close and apply with a cork for ten or twelve minutes.
If it does not take effect in an hour, repeat the application.
Thrush. — This is a disease peculiar to all the lower
animals under certain conditions. Horses, oxen and sheep
are especially liable to become affected with it. It is gen-
erally produced by permitting stock to remain in buildings
that are unclean, such as allowing horses to stand too long
in their own stools and urine. When this is the case, unless
their feet are being picked out, washed or otherwise cleansed
daily, thrush invariably sets in. If allowed to run any
length of time, it will eat up the internal structure of the
foot, and cause not only disunion to take place, but the loss
of the hoof sometimes results.
In order TO prevent thrush keep your stables clean,
have your horses' hoofs picked out or washed at least twice
a week to prevent the accumulation of filth, keep your
horses' feet clean. This same order applies to oxen and
174
sheep. Clean the feet of the latter animals at least once
every ninety days, and dress the feet with a coat of blue-
stone well pulverized and mixed with sufficient honey to
make a salve. After the feet have been thoroughly cleansed
apply the salve with a brush. This treatment will secure
good, sound frogs and healthy, natural feet.
It is very essential that the horse's feet be kept in good
condition, and to bring this about the utmost care should be
used in looking after them
CHAPTER XXIIL
The Track Records*
The whole thought of the turfmen of to-day inclines
toward speed and there is nothing they have not done to
assist in this development. Comparisons, therefore, of the
time in races made in the years ago and that at present
clipped off are merely interesting without being conclusive
of anything. Time is relative and so always has been con-
sidered by turfmen, whether racing is to them a matter of
speculation or a medium of recreation.
Atmosphere, environment, condition of course, charac-
ter of pace, judgment of jockey — all these and a dozen more
contingencies enter into the making up of time. To-day
it is a selling plater that makes a record and to-morrow for
that same plater to be beaten thoroughly in much slower
time by a horse of quality who always could and always
would beat him, and yet who never had a record emblazoned
on his career. Discussions of records, therefore, from a
time standpoint, are profitless and, in many instances, mis-
leading. I do not mean to dim by any word of mine any
laurel now worn by the glorious living or by the valiant
dead. Time is interesting and, at periods, informatory, but it
never can, other than by accident, be conclusive as to merit.
The Great Futurity, inaugurated in 1888 by the Coney
Island Jockey Club, run in the fall, six furlongs, by two-
year-olds, annually, is one of the richest of all of the Ameri-
can classics, and has been won by the horses year after year,
as herein mentioned, since it was inaugurated :
1888. — Proctor Knott, 122 lbs. (Barnes), ist; Salvator, 108
lbs.; Galen, 115 lbs.; time, 1.15^; value, $45,000; 14
starters.
1889.— W. L. Scott's Chaos, 109 lbs. (Day); St. Carlo, 122
lbs.; Sinaloa II, 105 lbs.; time, i:i6f ; value, $63,675 ; 23
starters.
1890. — August Belmont's Potomac, 115 lbs. (Hamilton);
Masher, 108 lbs.; Strathmeath, 124 lbs.; time, 1:14^;
value, $77,000 ; 1 5 starters.
176
1891. — D. Gideon's His Highness, 130 lbs. (J. McLaughlin);
Yorkville Belle, 115 lbs.; Dagonet, 108 lbs.; time, 1:153^;
value, $72,000; 21 starters.
1892. — A. F. Van Ness's Morelo, 118 lbs. (Haywood); Lady-
Violet, 118 lbs.; St. Lenards, 115 lbs.; time, 1:12^; value,
$41,375 ; 17 starters.
1893. — J. R. & F. P. Keene's Domino, 130 lbs. (Taral); Gali-
lee, 115 lbs.; Dobbins, 130 lbs.; time, i:i2f ; value, $45,-
000 ; 20 starters.
1894. — Gideon & Daly's Butterflies, 112 lbs. (Griffin); Brandy-
wine, 108 lbs.; Agitator, no lbs.; time, i:ii; value, $63,
830; 17 starters.
1895. — Gideon & Daly's Requital, 115 lbs. (Griffin); Cre-
sendo, 114 lbs.; Silver H, 108 lbs.; time, 1:1 if ; value,
$69,770 ; 20 starters.
1896. — Marcus Daly's Ogden, 115 lbs. (Tuberville); Orna-
ment, 116 lbs.; Rodermond, 115 lbs.; time, 1:10; value,
$56,970; 10 starters.
1897. — L. S. & W. P. Thompson's L'Alouette, 115 lbs.
(Clawson); Lidian, 115 lbs.; Uriel, 115 lbs.; time, i:ii;
value, $43,300 ; 18 starters.
1898.— W. Heulin's Martimas, 118 lbs. (H. Lewis); High
Degree, 113 lbs.; Mr. Clay, 118 lbs.; time, i:i2|; value,
$46,840; 23 starters.
1899. — James R. Keene's Charconac, 114 lbs. (Spencer);
Brigadier, 109 lbs.; Windmere, 112 lbs,; time, i:iof ;
value, $41,000; 20 starters.
1900. — W. C. Whitney's Ballyhoo Bey, 112 lbs. (T. Sloan);
Olympian, 112 lbs.; Tommy Atkins, 129 lbs.; time, 1:10;
value, $42,000; 12 starters.
1901. — John E. Madden's Yankee, 119 lbs. (O'Connor); Lux
Caster, 109 lbs.; Barron, 112 lbs.; time, 1:093-; value,
$46,210; 19 starters.
1902. — John A. Drake's Savable, 119 lbs. (Lyne); Lord of
the Vale, 117 lbs.; Dazeling, 116 lbs.; time, 1:14; value,
$56,660 ; 24 starters.
177
1903. — Sydney Paget's Hamburg Belle, 114 lbs. (Fuller);
Leonidis, 123 lbs.; The Minute Man, 122 lbs.; time, 1:13;
value, $46,550; 18 starters.
1904. — H. B. Duryea's Artful, 114 lbs. (Hildebrand); Tradi-
tion, 127 lbs.; Sysonby, 127 lbs.; time, i:iif ; value, $52,-
990; 16 starters.
1905. — Ormondale Stable's Ormondale, 117 lbs. (Redfern);
Timber, 119 lbs.; Belmere, 117 lbs.; time, 1:1 if ; value,
$43,680; 17 starters.
1906. — Wm. Lakeland & B. G. Thomas's Electioneer, 117
lbs., by Voter — Quesal (L. Williams); Tourenne,
Aleatheaw ; time, 1:1 3f.
Note. — The distance in 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, 1896, 1897,
1898, 1899, 1900, 1 90 1 was 170 feet less than six furlongs;
other years the distance was full six furlongs.
The Flying Handicap. — Inaugurated in 1893. For
three-year-olds ; six furlongs:
1893. — Gideon & Daly's Cactus, 115 lbs. (Overton); time,
i:iif.
1894. — J. R. Keene's Domino, 130 lbs. (Taral); time, 1:10.
1895. — San Anita Stable's Rey del Carreres, 122 lbs. (Taral);
time, i:ii|.
1896. — Wm. Wallace's Refuge, 100 lbs. (Tod Sloan); time,
1:16.
1897. — A. H. & D. H. Morris's Casseopia, 108 lbs. (F. Little-
field); time, 1:153^.
1898. — W.B.Jennings's Bendoran, 112 lbs. (Maher); time,
i:i4f.
1899. — Sydney Paget's Toluca, 108 lbs. (Clawson); time, 1:14.
1900. — Sam Hildreth's Vulcain, 124 lbs. (Henry); time, i:i3f .
1901.— Goughacre Stable's Dublin, 118 lbs. (McCue); i:i2f.
1902. — A. Featherston's Hatasoo, 122 lbs. (Shaw); time, 1:13.
1903. — W. B.Jennings's Shot Gun, 119 lbs. (Odom); time,
i:i4f.
1904. — S. S. Brown's Broomstick, 12^ lbs,; time, i:i3|.
1905. — James McLaughlin's Oxford, 109 lbs.; time, 1:15^.
1906. — Newcastle Stable's b. c. Inquisitor, 120 lbs. (Miller);
Frank J. Farrell's ch. c. Arklita, 123 lbs.; T. L, Watt's
b. f. Consistent, 97 lbs.
Note. — Prior to 1896 races were run over the old
Futurity Course, 170 feet less than six furlongs.
The Great Autumn Steeplechase. — For four-year-
olds and upwards ; about two miles and a half. Inaugur-
ated, 1906.
1906. — Brownleigh Park Stable's b. g. John M. P. (aged),
162 lbs., first; Bartlet McLennan's b. g. Agent (4 years),
second ; Bonny Brook Stable's ch. g. Alfar (4 years),
third ; time, 5:05.
The Sapphire Stakes. — For two-year-olds that have
not won a race of the value of $1,000 up to the time of clos
ing; five and one-half furlongs. Futurity Course.
1887. — V. F. Mattese Stable's Geraldine, 116 lbs. (Kelly);
time, 1:15.
1888. — D. D. Withers's Sluggard, 108 lbs. (George Taylor);
time, i:r4f.
1889. — August Belmont's Magnet, 118 lbs. (Anderson);
time, 1:19^.
1890. — Bashford Manor Farm's Gascoin, in lbs. (Overton);
time, 1:10.
1891. — G. E. Smith's King Cadmus, in lbs. (Taral); time,
i:09f.
1892. — Blemton Stable's Belgarde, 108 lbs. (Syms); time,
1:09.
1893. — J. Ruppert, Jr.'s, Longsdale, 118 lbs. (Lamle); time,
i:o8f.
1894. — P. Lorillard's Dolabra, 118 lbs. (Hamilton); time,
i:oyf.
1895.— L. E. Zell's Kamsin, 115 lbs. (Grififin); time, i:o8f.
1896.— A. H. & D. H. Morris's The Friar, 125 lbs. (F. Lit-
tlefield); time, i:o7|.
179
1 897- — L. S, & W. P. Thompson's The Huguenot, ii8 lbs.
(W. Martin); time, i:o8.
1898. — Mrs. B. McClellan's Ways and Means, 125 lbs.
(Maher); time, 1:10.
1899. — J. E. Madden's Gulden, 118 lbs. (Odom); time, i:o8f.
1900. — J. R. & F. P. Keene's Conroy, 109 lbs. (Spencer);
time, i:o6|.
1901. — W. C. Whitney's Pretorious, 108 lbs. (Burns); time,
1:08.
1902. — J. R. Keene's Clarion, 108 lbs. (O'Connor); time,
i:o6|.
1903. — A. L. Aste's Luxemburg-, 108 lbs. (Gray); time, 1:07.
1904. — S. S. Brown's Agile, 118 lbs. (Burns); time, 1:06^.
1905. — C. R. Ellison's Lady Navarre, 115 lbs. (Burns); time,
1:09.
1906. — E. S. Burke, Jr.'s, b. c. W. H. Daniell, first, 125 lbs.
(Jones), time i:o6|; Paumonok, second; J. E. Segram's
ch. c. Main Chance, third.
Note. — Prior to 1889 the distance was six furlongs.
The Ocean Handicap. — Coney Island; $2,500 added.
Previous winners :
1894. — J. R. & F. P. Keene's Domino (3), 116 lbs. (Taral);
time, 1:40^^.
1895. — Pastime Stable's Henry Young (5), 107 lbs. (A. Clay-
ton); time, i:39f
1896.— J. M. Murphy's Buck Massie (4), 119 lbs. (J. Hill);
time, 1:41.
1897.— G. E. Smith's Belmar (5), 121 lbs. (T. Sloan); time,
1:41.
1898. — W. B. Jenning's Briar Sweet (3), no lbs. (Maher);
time, i:40|.
1899. — Harness & Brosman's Imp (5), 123 lbs. (P. Clay);
time, 1:40^.
1900. — James R. Keene's Voter (6), 130 lbs. (Spencer);
time, i:39f.
i8o
1901. — J. E. Widencr's Ten Candles (4), 122 lbs. (Spencer);
time, 1:381.
1902.— J. E. Madden's Col. Bill (3), 105 lbs. (H. Michaels);
time, i:39|.
1903. — E. R. Thomas's Hermis (4), 127 lbs. (Odom); time,
i:39f
1904. — W. B. Jennings's Dainty (4), no lbs. (Hildebrand);
time, 1:39.
1905. — W. B. Jennings's Prosper (3), 122 lbs. (Knapp); time,
i:4if
1906 — A. Belmont's Tiptoe (3), 107 lbs. (Horner); time,
i:38f.
The Brooklyn Handicap is one of the annuals that
is always looked forward to with great interest by all
classes, as the best horses, from three-year-olds up to all
ages, are invariably entered in this race, it being one of
the American Classics, the distance being i^m.
1887. — Dry Monopole (imp. Glenelg), Blue Wing, Hidalgo;
time, 2:07 ; value, $5,850; 17 starters.
1888. — The Bard (Longfellow), Hanover, Exile; time, 2:13;
value, $6,925 ; 17 starters.
1889. — Exile (imp. Mortemer), Prince Royal, Terra Cotta;
time, 2:07^; value, $6,900; 7 starters.
1890. — Castaway II (Outcast), Badger, Erie; time, 2:10;
value, $6,900 ; 9 starters.
1 89 1. — Tenny (imp. Rayon d'Or), Prince Royal, Tea Tray ;
time, 2:10; value, $14,800; 21 starters.
1892. — Judge Morrow (Vagabond), Pessara, Russell ; time,
2:o8| ; value, $17,750; 12 starters.
1893. — Diabalo (Eolus), Lamplighter, Lonawell ; time, 2:09;
value, $17,500; 13 starters.
1894. — Dr. Rice (Onondaga), Henry of Navarre, Sir Walter;
time, 2:07^; value, $17,750; 14 starters.
1895. — Hornpipe (imp. Mr. Pickwick), Lazzarone, Sir Wal-
ter; time, 2:1 ij; value, $7,750 ; 12 starters.
iSi
1896.— Sir Walter (imp. Midlothian), Clifford, St. Maxim;
time, 2:08^ ; value, $7,750 ; 8 starters.
1897. — Howard Mann (Duke of Montrose), Lake Shore,
Volley ; time, 2:09! ; value, $7,750 ; 11 starters.
1898. — Ornament (imp. Order), Ben Holloday, Sly Fox ;
time, 2:10 ; value, $7,800 ; 8 starters.
1899. — Banastar (Farandole), Lanky Bob, Filigrane ; time,
2:o6|; value, $7,800; 16 starters.
1900. — Kinley Mack (imp. Isinglass), Rafaello, Herbert;
time, 2:10; value, $7,800; 9 starters.
1901. — Conroy (St. Leonardo), Herbert, Standing; time, 2:09 ;
value, $7,800 ; 9 starters.
1902. — Reina (imp. Esher), Advance Guard, Pentecost; time,
2:07 ; value, $7,800 ; 14 starters.
1903. — Irish Lad (imp. Candlemas), Gunfire, Heno ; time,
2:o5f ; value, $14,950; 12 starters.
1904. — The Picket (Falsetto), Irish Lad, Proper ; time, 2:o6f ;
value, $15,800 ; 16 starters.
1905. — Delhi (Ben Brush), Ostrich, Graziallo ; time, 2:o6|;
value, $15,800; II starters.
1906. — Tokalon (Tammany), Dandelion, The Picket; time,
2:051 ; value, $15,800 ; 14 starters.
FASTEST TIME ON RECORD IN U. S.
J;^ mile Bob Wade, 4, Butte (Mont.), Aug. 20. 1890 o:2i}4
% " Atoka, a, 115, Butte (Mont.), Aug. 23, 1906 0:32%
3% fur. Judge Thomas, a, 134, Butte (Mont.), July 14, 1902 0:401^
V mile ^ Geraldine, 4, i 22 , Morris P'k (str'ht co'se), Aug. 30, 1889 0:46
^2 \ Bessie Macklin, 2, 100, Dallas (Tex.), Oct, 3, 1899 0:463^
.1/ r j Tanya, 2, 107, Morris Park (str'ht co'se). May 12, 1904. 0:5 lU
4/2 "r- ;| Old England, 2, loS, Cal. J. C. (Oakland), Dec. i8, 1901 0:53
5/ jnjig j Maid Marian, 4, hi, Mor. P'k (str'ht co'se), Oct. 9, 1894 0:56^:^
''* i George F. Smith, 4, 100, San Francisco (Cal. J. C),
March 7, 1895 0:59
-1/ f^jj. j Plater, 2, 107, Morris Park (str'ht co'se), Oct. 21, 1902 i:02j^
^^2 • I McGee, 3, 105, Chicago (Harlem), Oct. i, 1903 1:05 1-5
Futurity Course (170 feet less than % mile).
Kingston, a, 139, Sh'sh'd Bay (C. I. J. C), June 22, 1891 1:08
6 fur \ Artful, 2, 130, Morris Park (str'ht co'se), Oct. 15, 1904 1:08
I RosEBEN, 4, 147, Belmont Park (L. I.), Oct. 6, 1905 1:11
( Lady Vera, 2, 90, Belmont Park (L. I.), (str'ht co'se),
6J-^ fur. -j Oct. 19, 1906 1:16 3-5
( Oxford, 4, 118, Belmont Park (L. I.), Oct. 15, 1906 1:18 i 5
7 fur. RosEBEN, 5, 126, Belmont Park (L. I.), Oct. 16, 1906... 1:22
•j%i\xr. Dainty, 4, 109, San Francisco (Oakland), Dec. ig, 1904. 1:32
fSALVATOR, 4, no, Monmouth Park, Aug. 28, 1890
I (against time, straight course) 1:35^2
I mile -J KiLDEER, 4, 91, Monm'th P'k, Aug. 13, 1902 (str'ht co'se) 1:37^4
I KiAMESHA, 3, 104, Belmont Park (L. I.), Oct. 9, 1905.. . 1:37 2 5
(_ Dick Welles, 3, 112, Chicago (Harlem), Aug. 14, 1903.
f Macy, 4, 107, Chicago (Wash'ton P'k), July 2, 1898
I m 20 vds \ Maid Marian, 4, 106, Chicago (Washington Park),
y •] July, 19, 1893 1:40
[ Six Shooter, 5, in, Chi. (W'h'ton P'k), June27, 1903
I m. 50 yds. Haviland, 6, 99, Chicago (W'h'ton P'k), July 7, 1903 1:41 1-5
I m 70 vds \ J™iNEZ, 3, loi, Chicago (Harlem), Sept. 5, 1901 1:42
' ' ■> ■[ Dalvay, 3, 96, Chicago (Harlem), Aug. 31, 1904.
I m. 100 yds. Grand Opera, 4, 77, Chicago (Harlem), Aug. 12, 1903. 1:44 3-5
I 1-16 m \ I^i^A^LiTE, 4, loi, Brighton Beach, Sept 25, 1905 1:44 3-5
■ / Glassful, 3, loi, Chicago (Wash'ton P'k), July 2, 1903
il^ m. BoNNiBERT, 4, 120, Brighton Beach, July 30, 1902 1:51
I 3-16 m. Scintillant II, 6, 109, Chicago (Harlem), Sept. i, 1902 1:57 2-5
iV m j Banquet, 3, 108, Monm'th P'k (str'ht co'se), July 17, 1890 2:0334;
^ ■ \ Broomstick, 3, 104, Brighton Beach, July 9, 1904 2:02 4-5
I 5-16 m. Bedouin, 3, in, Belmont Park (L. I.), Oct. 2, 1905 2:10 3-5
I m. 500 yds. Swift Wing, 5, 100, Latonia (Ky.), July 8, 1905 2:10 1-5
1% miles Irish Lad, 4, 126, Sheepsh'd Bay (C. L), June 25, 1904 2:17 3-5
i}/^ " Goodrich, 3, 102, Chicago (Wash'ton P'k), July 16, 1898 2:303^
1% " Africander, 3, 126, Sheepshead Bay (C. L), July 7, 1903 2:45 1-5
1% " Major Dangerfield, 4, 120, Morris Park, Oct. 3, 1903 2:57
^K " Julius Caesar, 5, 108, New Orleans (La.), Feb. 27,1900 3:19
.1 5 Judge Denny, 5, 105, Cal. J. C, Feb. 12, 1898 3:263^
( Ten Broeck, 5, no, Louisville, May 29, 1877 (ag'st time) 3:27^^
i83
2^8 miles
2K
2%
2%
3
Joe Murphy, 4, 99, Chicago (Harlem), Aug. 30, 1894. _ 3:42
Ethelbert, 4, 124, Brighton Beach, Aug. 4, igoo 3:49 1-5
Kyrat, 3, 88, Newport (Ky.), Nov. 18, 1899..- 4:241^
Ten Broeck, 4, 104, Lexington, Sept. 16, 1876 4'-S^}4
Hubbard, 4, 107, Saratoga, N. Y., Aug. 9, 1873. 4:58%
Elie, 4, 99, Cal. J. C. (Oakland), April 8, 1905 5:22
Lucrezia Borgia, 4, 85, Cal. J. C. (Oakland), May 20,
1897 (against time) - 7:11
The Bachelor, a, 118, Cal. J. C. (Oakland), Feb. 22, 1899 7:16)^
l^ mile
34 "
5Z
HEAT RACES.
Sleepy Dick, a, Kiowa (Kan.), Oct. 19, 1888 o
Bob Wade, 4, Butte (Mont.), Aug. 16, 1890 o
i Eclipse, Jr., 4, Dallas (Tex.), Nov. i, 1890 0:48—
Bogus, a, 113, Helena (Mont.), Aug. 22, i8S8_..
Bill Howard, 5, 122, Anaconda (Mont.), Aug.
1895 ..-..-... - o
j Kittie Pease, 4, 82, Dallas (Tex.), Nov. 2, 1887
I Fox, 4, 113, San Francisco (Cal.), Oct. 31, 1891-1:00
fTOM Hayes, 4, 107, Morris Park, June 17, i
% " ■{ (straight course) i
|_ Lizzies., 5, 118, Louisville, Sept. 28, 1883 i
I " GuiDO, 4, 117, Chicago (W'h'ton P'k), July II, 189I--I
I (3 in 5) L'Argentine, 5, 115, St. Louis, June 14, 1879.. 1:43—
1 1-16 m. Slipalong, 5, 115, Chicago (Washington Park), Sept
1885 ...I
ii^ m. What-er-Lou, 5, 119, San Francisco (Ingleside), Feb.
1899 -
ij^ m. Glenmore, 5, 114, Sheepshead Bay, Sept. 25 1880..
1% m. Patsy Duffy, a, 115, Sacramento (Cal.), Sept.
1884 - 2
2 m. Miss Woodford, 4, 1073^, Sheepshead Bay, Sept.
18S4
3 m. Norfolk, 4, 100, Sac'ra'to (Cal.), Sept. 23, 1865. 5
213^ — 0:22^^
:36M-o:36i4
-0:48 — 0:48
.0:48 — 0:48
17,
473^—0:48?^
-i:oc — 1:00
3-5—1:01 1-5
892
:io3^— i:i23^
:i3ii— 1:13^
:4iK— 1:41
-1:44—1:47^
. 2,
:5iK-i:48K
, 18,
.1:56—1:543^
-2:10 — 2:14
17,
:4i3^— 2:41
20,
-3:33— 3 =3 1 '-I
:27K-5:29^
MsMbt Family Library of Veterinary Medtcine
tteitsRiss'^ School of Veterinary Medicine at
Tufts University
too Westboro Road